England defeated India by 27 runs in the third and final ODI of the three match series at Lord's. Ben Duckett's magnificent century, supported by strong contributions from Jacob Bethell, Joe Root and Jos Buttler, powered England to a record-breaking total before their bowlers held off a spirited chase led by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Despite Rohit's brilliant 138 and Kohli's fluent 74, India fell short while chasing a daunting target of 388, finishing on 360/7. With this victory, England sealed the series 2-1.
England Post Record Total at Lord's
England produced one of their finest ODI batting performances to pile up 387/3, the highest List A total ever recorded at Lord's and England's biggest ODI score against India. The innings was built around an outstanding opening partnership of 192 runs between Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell.
Duckett starred with a superb 141, the highest individual ODI score at Lord's. It was his fourth century in the format, and he dominated India's bowling with aggressive strokeplay all around the ground.
Bethell continued his impressive rise by scoring 91 while opening the batting for only the third time in ODIs. After managing scores of 14 and 4 earlier in the series, the young left-hander repaid England's faith with a mature and stylish innings. The partnership also became England's highest opening stand against India in ODI cricket.
Duckett and Bethell Lay the Perfect Foundation
England's openers attacked from the beginning and rarely allowed India's bowlers to settle. Duckett mixed sweeps, cuts and powerful drives to race through his innings. He reached his century in style, needing just 44 balls to move from fifty to three figures after taking 64 deliveries to reach his half-century.
Bethell matched him with elegant strokeplay, striking 11 fours and two sixes. His innings included beautiful straight drives and confident attacking shots that highlighted his growing reputation.
His knock ended on 91 when Prasidh Krishna forced a mistimed pull that was safely caught by Rohit Sharma. Duckett later added another century partnership with Joe Root before falling for 141 after hitting 19 boundaries.
Root and Buttler Finish in Style
England accelerated brilliantly during the final overs. Joe Root remained unbeaten on 74 from only 48 deliveries, registering his sixth consecutive ODI half-century.
Jos Buttler produced a trademark late assault, smashing an unbeaten 41 from just 13 balls. His explosive innings included three sixes in four deliveries and gave England massive momentum.
Together, Root and Buttler added 63 runs in the final five overs, including 39 runs from the last two overs alone. Their finishing burst lifted England from a strong position to an almost unbeatable total of 387.
India Miss Bumrah and Washington Sundar
India entered the series decider without two important players. Jasprit Bumrah missed the match after suffering a knee injury during the second ODI in Cardiff, while Washington Sundar was unavailable because of a hamstring injury.
India brought Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav and the returning KL Rahul into the playing XI, but the bowling attack struggled throughout the innings.
Axar Patel was India's most economical bowler, while the fast bowlers leaked runs regularly, especially during England's late charge when the hosts collected 94 runs from the final 39 deliveries.
Rohit Sharma Produces Historic Century
Facing a massive target, India needed something special from their senior batters, and Rohit Sharma answered the challenge. The experienced opener produced one of the finest innings of his ODI career, scoring a magnificent 138.
The century was his 34th in ODIs and also made him the first Indian men's cricketer to score an ODI hundred at Lord's. It was also his eighth ODI century in England. Rohit reached his hundred from 84 balls before accelerating further. He struck 22 boundaries, including six towering sixes, and looked capable of pulling off one of India's greatest ODI chases. He attacked every England bowler and shifted momentum firmly towards India during the middle overs.
Gill and Kohli Keep India in the Chase
Shubman Gill provided excellent support by scoring a classy 77. The pair added 147 runs for the opening wicket and gave India a perfect platform. After Gill was trapped lbw by Adil Rashid, Rohit continued attacking and scored 88 runs from his final 60 deliveries.
Virat Kohli then took charge after Rohit's dismissal. The former captain played another composed innings of 74, bringing up his first fifty at Lord's in any format. He mixed controlled strokeplay with powerful hitting, including two impressive sixes off Will Jacks. However, the required run rate continued to climb beyond 12 runs per over.
England Hold Their Nerve
England refused to panic despite Rohit's dominance. Jacob Bethell finally removed the Indian captain when a quicker delivery beat his attempted sweep and crashed into the stumps, ending a brilliant innings.
That wicket shifted the momentum back towards England. Sam Curran then delivered the decisive blows during the closing overs. His clever slower deliveries dismissed Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer, while Virat Kohli also fell trying to accelerate, skying a catch to Harry Brook.
Curran finished with outstanding figures of 4/75, repeatedly using slower balls to break India's resistance. India eventually closed on 360/7, falling 27 runs short.