India fall short in run-fest at Lord’s as England seize ODI series
Despite an incredible battle at the Lord’s, Team India eventually succumbed to the growing pressure from the English bowlers as England bagged the ODI series. In what was a high-scoring battle, both India and England went all guns blazing at each other. However, it was the hosts who prevailed in the clash of nerves at the Home of Cricket to seize the fray.
Winning the toss, England opted to bat first. The two English openers hunkered down to business right from the outset while the Indian bowlers had to toil hard to find their rhythm. The duo of Ben Duckett (141) and Jacob Bethell (91) added 192 runs for the opening stand.
Prasidh Krishna was finally successful in breaking the stand, claiming Jacob Bethell. However, that did very little to deter the English spirits as an incoming Joe Root continued exactly from where he left in the last game. This time, he was coming harder at the bowlers as England had the platform in place.
Prince Yadav registered the prized scalp of Duckett to throw in a shade in England’s cruise. By the end of their 50 overs, England had amassed 387/3, a target that seemed daunting incarnate. Root stayed unbeaten for 74 while Jos Buttler blazed an unbeaten 41 off just 13 balls. Prasidh Krishna was the pick of the lot for India with figures of 2/69.
India got off to a rollicking start, courtesy of their top three. Rohit Sharma commandeered the charge while Shubman Gill motored along perfectly. Gill smashed 77 off just 84 balls while Sharma shifted gear mid-innings. The opening duo posted 147 before Adil Rashid got the better of Gill.
That unleashed Virat Kohli in the center and the fans got a first-hand account of the potential threat to bowlers when the Ro-Ko duo hits in full blast. Sharma brought up his 34th ODI ton while Virat got his 79th half-century. The two added 113 runs for the second wicket as India looked well-poised to lunge for the finish line.
Sharma fell for a 110-ball-138, blasting 17 fours and five sixes before Jacob Bethell could breach his defences. From there, Kohli took charge and pushed as deep as possible, scoring 74 off 60, rocking four fours and three sixes. But the dearth of support from the other end saw India falling short of the finish line.
Gurnoor Brar (18*) and Arshdeep Singh (15*) came up with a late charge but the ship had already sailed by then. England secured a 27-run-win to pocket the series by 2-1. Jacob Bethell secured the Player of the Match award for his all-round performance while Joe Root seized the Player of the Series award.
