India completed a clean sweep against England in the three-match ODI series, securing a 3-0 victory after a commanding 142-run win in the final match in Ahmedabad. The series served as ideal preparation for India ahead of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.
In the third ODI, India showed how much better their batters were, posting a total of 356 after being asked to bat first. Shubman Gill led the pack with a brilliant century, scoring 112 runs off 102 balls, which included 14 boundaries and 3 sixes.
Gill’s performance took his ODI average above 60 and included century partnerships with both Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer. Kohli contributed a steady 52, while Iyer added a robust 78. England’s Adil Rashid was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4 wickets for 64 runs, and Mark Wood supported with 3 for 45.
England’s chase faltered, as they were bowled out for 214 in 34.2 overs. After a promising start from openers Ben Duckett (34) and Phil Salt (24), the innings collapsed against India’s spin attack. Tom Banton, playing his first ODI against India, showed glimpses of potential with a score of 38.
However, the middle order failed to capitalize, with wickets falling at regular intervals. Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh took 2 wickets each, while Harshit Rana also contributed with 2 wickets.
India’s victory was proof of their all-round strength, with both batting and bowling units performing effectively. Gill’s century and the contributions from Kohli and Iyer powered the batting, while the bowlers exploited the conditions to restrict England.
This win marked India’s second-largest ODI victory, in terms of runs, against England.
Reflecting on the series win, India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, stressed the importance of consistency and clear communication within the team. He expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance and reiterated the freedom given to players to express themselves on the field.
England, on the other hand, faced criticism for their one-dimensional bowling attack and batting collapses. The series loss compounded their woes, following a 4-1 defeat in the T20 matches. With the Champions Trophy on the horizon, England will need to address their weaknesses and regroup quickly, especially before their February 22 game against Australia.
