England rode on Ben Duckett's century and Sam Curran's four-fer to get the better of India by 27 runs in the third ODI despite Rohit Sharma's ton. With this England clinched the three-match series 2-1.
England edge India in high-scoring thriller at Lord's
Batting first England posted a colossal total of 387/3 after Ben Duckett's towering 141. Despite a heroic batting display from India's top order, headlined by a magnificent 138 from Rohit Sharma, a fluent 77 from Shubman Gill, and a class 74 from Virat Kohli, the visitors fell just short of their monumental target, finishing on 360 for 7. In a high-scoring thriller, the ultimate difference maker proved to be Jos Buttler’s blistering 13-ball 41 earlier in the day, which had propelled England to a devastating 82 runs in their final five overs. That late-innings blitz gave the hosts just enough cushion to withstand a fierce Indian counter-attack.
Rohit runs riot with roaring ton
For Rohit, this innings was played under a suffocating cloud of pressure. With rampant media speculation suggesting that both the selectors and the head coach were ready to transition away from the 39-year-old veteran, he walked onto the hallowed turf of Lord's fighting a dual battle: keeping India alive in the series and defending a legendary legacy under siege. When he finally reached his historic 34th ODI century—becoming the first Indian batter to score an ODI ton at Lord's—there was no grand celebration. He refused to raise his bat or acknowledge the standing ovation from the MCC Members' Balcony, concluding a gritty 110-ball masterclass defined entirely by resolve and quiet defiance. It marked a poignant final ODI appearance on English soil, ensuring fans will long remember how an aging icon answered his doubters when he was made to feel unwanted.
Sam Curran thwarts India's chase
India’s pursuit of the towering total was built on two massive partnerships: a 147-run opening stand between Rohit and skipper Gill, followed by a 113-run association between the old guard of Rohit and Kohli. The former captain was in vintage touch, dismantling the English attack with 17 boundaries and five sixes, including a spectacular pulled maximum off Sam Curran. However, it was Curran who ultimately emerged as England's bowling savior. Utilizing his slower variations to perfection at the death, Curran dismantled India's middle order by dismissing Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, and Kohli within the span of just seven deliveries, finishing with figures of 4/75 and decisively crushing India's hopes of a miracle victory.
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Ben Duckett's towering ton in England's win
Earlier, It was an afternoon to forget for India's bowlers at Lord's as Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell ran rampant to guide England to a massive 387 for 3 in the series finale. The dynamic duo put on a spectacular 192-run opening stand, with Duckett hammering a brilliant 141. India’s afternoon went downhill before a ball was even bowled, as a knee injury ruled out Jasprit Bumrah. His absence proved to be the defining factor of the innings, proving that the current crop of Indian pacers struggle immensely to hold the fort without their premier weapon leading the attack.
In Bumrah's absence, the inexperienced quartet of Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, and Gurnoor Brar looked entirely toothless against a rampant English batting order. Rookie Prince Yadav found it difficult to adjust to the unique Lord's slope early on, while a rusty Arshdeep struggled for discipline. Though England took a cautious approach in the first ten overs, scoring 58, they absolutely dominated the middle overs. India also paid the price for a thin spin attack; with Kuldeep Yadav used sparingly since Gautam Gambhir took over the coaching reins, Axar Patel was left without any viable support to choke the run flow.
The boundaries flowed effortlessly as the opening pair settled into a destructive rhythm, ultimately helping England smash 42 fours and six sixes. Bethell looked incredibly fluent from the jump, cracking 11 fours and a six before holing out on 91 to Prasidh Krishna, who finished as the pick of the bowlers with 2/69. Duckett, meanwhile, feasted on the wayward lines, finding the fence 18 times to anchor the historic batting display.
The misery didn't end for India after the openers departed. Joe Root continued his golden summer by hitting an unbeaten 74, his third straight fifty of the series—to easily clear the 350-run mark. Jos Buttler then added the finishing touches with a devastating 13-ball 41, taking a particular liking to Gurnoor Brar, who received a harsh introduction to international cricket by leaking 97 runs. The severe beating served as a stark reminder that while India's bowling depth looks functional on paper, it completely unravels when Bumrah isn't there to apply the pressure from the other end.