IND vs ENG, 3rd ODI: Despite an impressive challenge to hunt down an imposing target of 388, Team India fell short as England romped to a series win in the third and final ODI at the Lord’s Cricket Ground. Ben Duckett’s 141 trumped Rohit Sharma’s 138 as the hosts won the key moments to emerge victorious by 27 runs. The Men in Blue were well and truly in control of the contest when Rohit and Virat Kohli were batting but 388 proved to be a bridge too far to chase down at Lord’s.
Here are the turning points from England’s 27-run victory over India at the Lord’s Cricket Ground
3) Jos Buttler’s onslaught
With England captain walking out at No.4 and struggling to dish out the big hits, he perished for 14 off 12 balls, leaving England at 325/3 with 19 balls still left. At that stage, 370 looked like a distant dream but Jos Buttler’s arrival made it quite realistic. While Joe Root at the other end was keeping the scoreboard ticking, it was Buttler who dished out the big hits as the 48th and 49th over yielded 23 runs each. The final over produced another 16 runs, allowing England to finish on 387/3. Given the margin of defeat was only 27 runs, had India prevented those 46 runs they would have had a chance at overhauling England’s total.
2) Rohit Sharma’s wicket for 138
After belting an 84-ball ton, Rohit Sharma started feeling his cramps far more frequently. While he kept the boundaries coming regularly, Jacob Bethell castled him in the 39th over of the innings to give England a vital breakthrough. While the 39-year-old struggled to run, his ability to hit the boundaries with immense power means being for another 3-4 overs could have meant something different for India.
1) Virat Kohli falls for 74
Sam Cuuran dismissed Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer in a space of few deliveries with his clever slower deliveries to push the match far from India’s grasp. While England were firm favourites with 74 needing off the final five, Virat Kohli’s presence meant that the hosts couldn’t have afforded to relax. Curran, who came to bowl his ninth, outfoxed Kohli with another slower delivery as he sliced one to Harry Brook at cover. Had the 37-year-old stayed until the end, he would have taken the Men in Blue over the line.
