Rohit Sharma-led Indian cricket team hammered Jos Buttler's England side and handed them a defeat by a massive margin of 142 runs in the third and final ODI by 142 runs which was being played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, on February 12 (Wednesday). They clean sweeped the visitors to win the series 3-0 and gain good momentum ahead of the much-awaited Champions Trophy 2025. Shubman Gill's century and fifties from Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer were the highlights of the Indian batting. Iyer once again got close to scoring a century but eventually fell short.
Shreyas Iyer wished to score a ton
The star Indian batter was extremely happy with the way the team performed. However, he expressed disappointment in not being able to score a hundred. Iyer was the second-highest run-scorer in this series after Shubman Gill as he scored 181 runs across three games which also included 2 fifties.
"In the first game, I wanted to take the momentum after we lost two consecutive wickets, I tried to play the ball on its merit. I just back my instincts and tried to deliver. In the second game, I thought I would finish the game. And today, Shubman and Virat laid a great platform and that helped me to excel. I wish I could have got a hundred. The break I got in between where I was working with the domestic team and I also got opportunity to work on my technique as well and especially the drop-in shots which got me singles, it’s not about cuts and pulls all the time, the singles matter and that’s what’s more satisfying for me," said Shreyas Iyer after the match.
"The dressing room is electrifying with lots of energy and I feel each and every individual is in great form in the team. I think it’s great to win this series and carry the momentum into the Champions Trophy. You could see the three games how every individual stepped up for the team. Getting those crucial runs and wickets at the right time was important. We have worked a lot on that and a unit, we are trying to deliver and create that breakthrough that the team needs in imperative time. I’m keeping my fingers crossed, hopefully I will get the award for the best fielder of the series," he added.
Shreyas Iyer hit a spectacular half-century in the third match against England. He scored his second fifty-plus of the series in an innings that was dotted with eight fours and two sixes. Iyer appeared at ease at the crease from the first moment when he came on to bat after India lost Virat Kohli with 122 runs scored. He hit his first boundary against Adil Rashid after getting off the mark on his first ball. Iyer then settled into a rhythm and started attacking bowlers, showcasing his strong strokeplay. Shubman Gill, who was established at the crease and was going for his century, provided him with good support.
To maintain the run-flow, Iyer attacked Saqib Mahmood and Gus Atkinson in the middle overs. He appeared to be headed for a massive score after reaching his half-century off 43 deliveries. England captain Jos Buttler could not stop the duo of Iyer and Gill who added 104 runs for the third wicket off 93 balls. After hitting 50 runs, Iyer changed tactics and carried on with his innings. He started working with boundaries and was on his way to score a century. Regretfully, Iyer was removed against Rashid on 78 (64) after being strangled down the leg side.
This clean sweep win would be a major confidence boost for the Men in Blue ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025. They are already dealing with Jasprit Bumrah's missing out on the mega tournament and this kind of performance from batters only get more crucial.