Byline: Sports Bureau, New Delhi Chronicle
Dateline: London | Updated: July 20, 2026
LONDON: A heroic 34th One Day International century from former skipper Rohit Sharma and fluent fifties from Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli proved insufficient as India fell 27 runs short of a historic run-chase against England in a thrilling, high-scoring third ODI at Lord’s.
Chasing a mammoth target of 388 runs, the Indian team finished at 360/7 in their 50 overs, allowing the hosts to wrap up a 2-1 series victory over the top-ranked ODI side in the world.
Duckett-Bethell Show Sets Up Huge Total
Opting to bat first after Harry Brook won his third consecutive toss of the series, England made full use of favorable conditions and a Jasprit Bumrah-less Indian bowling attack. Openers Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell forged a formidable 192-run opening partnership to lay the groundwork for a massive total.
Duckett broke Sir Viv Richards’ 47-year-old record for the highest individual ODI score at Lord’s, smashing 141 off 135 balls (18 fours, 1 six). Young sensation Bethell fell just nine runs short of what would have been a maiden international century, departing for a fine 91.
Joe Root kept his sublime form intact with an unbeaten 74 off 48 balls, before skipper Jos Buttler provided a devastating late finish with a 13-ball 41. England plundered 82 runs in the final five overs to post a daunting 387/3 in their 50 overs—their highest ODI total against India at home.
For India, Prasidh Krishna picked up two wickets for 69 runs, while debutant Prince Yadav took 1/79.
Rohit, Gill, and Kohli Lead Brave Chase
Facing what would have been the second-highest successful run-chase in ODI history, India began with intent. Captain Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma gave India the ideal platform with a brisk 147-run opening stand.
Gill, who fought through bout-related cramps during his innings, was trapped lbw by leg-spinner Adil Rashid for 77. Rohit then took complete command alongside Virat Kohli, stitching together a 113-run partnership for the second wicket.
Rohit reached his 8th ODI century on English soil, striking 138 off 110 deliveries. When Jacob Bethell dismissed Rohit to reduce India to 260/2, Kohli took charge, recording his first fifty at Lord’s across formats with a 60-ball 74.
Curran’s Death-Over Magic Derails India
With India comfortably placed at 303/2 and requiring 84 runs off the final 39 balls with eight wickets intact, left-arm pacer Sam Curran turned the game on its head. In a game-changing seven-ball spell, Curran removed Ishan Kishan (14), Shreyas Iyer (0), and the crucial wicket of Virat Kohli to stem the flow of runs.
Despite late swings from lower-order batters, the sudden middle-order collapse left India well short of the target, finishing at 360/7 as England secured their fifth win in six matches against India across the tour.
Post-Match Captain Reactions
Reflecting on the match, Indian skipper Shubman Gill pinpointed the final overs of England’s innings as the deciding factor. “We were right in the game up until the 45th over of their innings. We conceded a few too many runs in the final three overs, and that shifted the momentum. We knew having wickets in hand after 40 overs during the chase was key, but we couldn’t cross the finish line,” Gill noted.
Winning captain Harry Brook expressed pride in his side’s resilience: “Extremely proud of the boys. To bounce back after losing the first ODI and secure a 2-1 series victory against the No. 1 ranked team in the world shows the character of this group.”
Joe Root was named Player of the Series for his aggregate of 249 runs in three matches, remaining unbeaten throughout the series.
Brief Scores:
England: 387/3 in 50 overs (Ben Duckett 141, Jacob Bethell 91, Joe Root 74*; Prasidh Krishna 2/69)
Result: England won by 27 runs and won the three-match series 2-1.
India: 360/7 in 50 overs (Rohit Sharma 138, Shubman Gill 77, Virat Kohli 74; Sam Curran 4/75)
