India defeated England by 142 runs in the third ODI at the Narendra Modi Stadium on 12 February 2025. This victory sealed a 3-0 series win for India. While the first two ODIs were close, this win was more commanding, showcasing India’s superiority.

Shubman Gill’s Century Steals the Show

Opening the innings for India, Shubman Gill played a brilliant knock. After England opted to bowl first, Gill took charge. He scored his seventh ODI century off just 95 balls. His innings was a mix of elegant strokes and sharp shot selection, demonstrating his growing maturity as a batter.

Furthermore, this century was historic. Gill became the fastest player to score 2,500 runs in ODIs, reaching the milestone in just 50 innings. He surpassed South Africa’s Hashim Amla, who had previously held the record with 51 innings. Additionally, Gill crossed the 5,000-run mark in international cricket, further highlighting his consistency.

Thanks to Gill’s 112 runs, India posted a strong total of 356/5. Although England’s Adil Rashid impressed with 4/64, his efforts couldn’t prevent India from reaching a high score. Meanwhile, Gus Atkinson contributed a late 38 runs off 19 balls, but it wasn’t enough to make up for England’s struggles.

England’s Chase Falls Apart

In reply, England started well. By the 18th over, they had reached 126/2. However, the middle order crumbled once again. Soon, they found themselves at 175/8 by the 31st over. This collapse played into India’s hands, with Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, and Arshdeep Singh picking up crucial wickets. While India rested Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami, the rest of the bowlers stepped up.

England’s top scorers were Atkinson and Tom Banton, but they were unable to prevent the team’s overall collapse. Ultimately, England finished their innings at 172 all out, well short of the target.

Gill’s Consistency in the Series

Gill’s performances were a major highlight throughout the series. His century in the third ODI, following scores of 87 and 60 in the first two matches, brought his total for the series to 259 runs. As a result, he moved up to second in the ICC ODI rankings, ahead of Indian captain Rohit Sharma.

Moreover, Gill has been particularly successful in Ahmedabad. He had previously scored an unbeaten 126 in T20Is against New Zealand in 2023 and a sublime 128 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. With an average nearing 80 in Ahmedabad, the venue has proven to be one of his favorite grounds.

Gambhir’s Faith in Gill

Although Gill has been in outstanding form in ODIs, he faced challenges in Test cricket, particularly during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. However, India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir encouraged fans to be patient with young players like Gill. Gambhir emphasized that time and experience will help Gill adapt.

Gambhir has also shown great faith in Gill by promoting him to vice-captain of the white-ball formats during India’s tour of Sri Lanka last year. While Gill isn’t part of India’s T20I squad right now, he remains an essential part of India’s ODI and Test squads.

Positive Signs for the Champions Trophy

Gill’s impressive form is a promising sign for India ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. With players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli struggling for consistency, Gill’s rise offers hope for the team. His ability to perform under pressure is exactly what India will need for the upcoming tournament.

After the match, Gambhir praised Gill’s leadership qualities, stating, “It’s just the start. Hopefully, he can keep his head on his shoulders. He’s learning every day and he’s actually taken off that leadership role in a very positive way as well. He’s been appointed as the vice-captain. Once you get that responsibility and see how consistent he was in the series, hopefully he can continue going forward and in the Champions Trophy as well.”

A Bright Future Ahead

Shubman Gill’s century against England was a powerful reminder of his talent. If he continues in this rich vein of form, he could be a key player for India in the Champions Trophy and beyond. With the right support from the team management, Gill has the potential to lead India’s batting lineup into a new era of dominance in ODI cricket.