England secured a 2-1 one-day international series victory over India at Lord's, surviving a ferocious century from Rohit Sharma to win the third and deciding match by 27 runs. Ben Duckett's career-best 141 from 135 balls anchored England to a record 387 for three, the highest men's ODI total at the venue, surpassing Viv Richards' 138 not out from 1979.
Duckett and Bethell set record opening stand
Duckett and Jacob Bethell, who scored 91 from 93 balls, put on 192 for the first wicket — a record for any England pair against India in ODIs. Bethell struck 11 fours and two sixes before falling nine runs short of his second ODI century. Duckett, more circumspect early, reached his half-century off 64 balls before accelerating with Joe Root in a 101-run second-wicket stand. Root contributed an unbeaten 74 from 48 balls, his third consecutive score above 76 in the series, meaning he has now scored 360 runs since his last dismissal in the format.
Buttler's late fireworks boost total
Jos Buttler smashed an unbeaten 41 from just 13 balls, including four fours and three sixes, as England plundered 82 runs from the final five overs. Captain Harry Brook fell for 14 but credited the team's fight after going 1-0 down in the series. “I’m extremely pleased with the way we’ve performed in this series after going 1-0 down – the fight, camaraderie and belief we have shown to win is credit to the team and the coaches,” Brook said.
Sharma's brilliant century in vain
India's chase was led by Rohit Sharma's 138 from 110 balls, a display of controlled brutality that included 15 fours and five sixes. Shubman Gill made 77, and the pair added 147 for the first wicket. India reached 260 for two in the 39th over before Bethell, who had earlier scored 91, bowled Sharma with a left-arm tweaker that beat his sweep shot and hit the stumps. Brook revealed that head coach Brendon McCullum suggested bringing Bethell on after Brook briefly left the field for advice.
Curran and Rashid lead bowling effort
Sam Curran took four for 75, using cutters and slower balls to dismiss Virat Kohli for 74 — his maiden Lord's half-century — and later remove Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer. Adil Rashid dismissed Gill lbw in the 25th over. India finished on 360 for seven, with Prasidh Krishna the most expensive bowler in Lord's ODI history, conceding 97 runs without a wicket. India were without Jasprit Bumrah, who missed the match due to a knee injury sustained in Cardiff.
Series significance
The victory gave England a 2-1 series win, adding to their T20 series success against India earlier in the summer. Brook's captaincy has drawn praise, and he has emerged as a candidate for the Test captaincy under the next head coach. Asked about juggling all three formats, Brook said: “It’d be tough to do all three jobs but I’m not saying it’s impossible.” The match began with a minute's silence for the late Sir Garfield Sobers, who had written a personal reference for Bethell when he moved from Barbados to Rugby School.
