India triumphed over England with a convincing 142-run victory in the third One Day International (ODI) played at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on Wednesday, successfully completing a 3-0 series whitewash. This impressive dominance not only showcased India's strength but also served as solid preparation for their upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign.
Shubman Gill emerged as the star of the show, scoring 112 runs off 102 balls, marking his seventh ODI century on the milestone of his 50th match. After losing captain Rohit Sharma early, Virat Kohli and Gill consolidated the innings with a stellar 116-run partnership, stabilizing India after the early hiccup. Kohli contributed 52 runs, and Shreyas Iyer chipped in with a valuable 78, leading to India's imposing total of 356.
The Indian batting lineup demonstrated significant depth, with contributions from all corners, including KL Rahul’s brisk 40 runs off just 29 balls. England's bowlers had little to celebrate, but Adil Rashid starred with the ball, taking four wickets for 64 runs. Still, this was clearly not enough to curtail India's scoring machine.
Upon batting, England found themselves under pressure early as they lost their openers swiftly. The first wicket fell when Phil Salt was caught off Akshar Patel. Harshit Rana and Hardik Pandya proved relentless as they picked up wickets at regular intervals, and soon, Captain Jos Buttler could only watch as his side crumbled to 214 all out.
Harshit Rana’s spell was particularly noteworthy as he secured three wickets, effectively orchestrated the downfall of England’s batting order, and left them reeling. The Indian bowling unit performed cohesively, with Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya joining Rana to snatch wickets and dismiss the opposing team.
The match also had significance off the field as both teams wore green armbands to endorse the BCCI’s initiative to promote organ donation, aptly titled ‘Donate Organs, Save Lives.’ The initiative was part of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) campaign, led by chairman Jay Shah. Participants included organ recipients, Gunjan Umang Dani, who received a lung transplant, and Deepti Vimal Shah, who underwent kidney donation surgery. Their presence alongside captains Rohit Sharma and Jos Buttler for the toss underscored the importance of this message.
Rohit Sharma expressed pride over Gill’s performance, saying, “It was great to see Shubman Gill play such a fabulous innings on the big stage of his 50th match.” Meanwhile, Jos Buttler acknowledged the challenges the English side faced during the series, stating, “I think we have to improve our batting depth as we head forward to the Champions Trophy.”
India's success against England in this last match not only served to cement their confidence but also offered momentum leading up to the Champions Trophy. They will look to build upon their strengths showcased throughout the series, with Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma forming the backbone of their batting lineup.
The series marked England's preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy, where they will have to regroup quickly to face arch-rivals Australia. This clean sweep leaves them with numerous questions to ponder as they head back to the drawing board aiming to restore their confidence before the key tournament.
With their hard-hitting batsmen and strategic bowling, India's performance not only won them the series against England but also reinforced their credentials as front-runners for the upcoming ICC tournament. Analysts and fans alike will keep their eyes peeled to witness how the Indian team capitalizes on this glorious victory and how England regroups post this humbling defeat.