England opener Ben Duckett claimed that his side wouldn’t care less even if they lose the India vs England ODI series by 3-0. Well, that is exactly what has happened as India have floored a listless-looking England to enter the ICC Champions Trophy as heavy favourites. After Nagpur and Cuttack triumps, the Ahmedabad crowd saw a fantastic display of batting, courtesy of Shubman Gill. This was followed by a rather comprehensive bowling that came to unison. Each of the six bowlers who rolled their arms over got an addition to their wickets tally.
Apart from a couple of selection debates, most of the things got on the right track for India in this series. While they would feel the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, the much-needed experience of a couple of games for Harshit Rana and other bowlers was crucial. India’s top four got delightful runs in the series, giving warning signs to other teams in the ICC Champions Trophy.
Shubman Gill strikes 100 & Virat Kohli comes to form!
India set England a daunting target of 357 after posting a record-breaking total at the Narendra Modi Stadium in the series deadrubber. Shubman Gill’s scintillating 112 off just 67 balls headlined the innings, while Shreyas Iyer chipped in with a fluent 78. Despite losing their last seven wickets for just 97 runs, the hosts walked away satisfied with their effort.
Put in to bat, India suffered an early blow when Rohit Sharma fell in the second over to a fiery Mark Wood. Virat Kohli, after a scratchy start, found rhythm alongside Gill as the duo steadied the innings, both notching up half-centuries. However, Adil Rashid once again proved to be Kohli’s tormentor, dismissing him just as he looked set. It ended the Kohli-Gill parternship to just 116 runs off 107 balls.
Gill continued his free-flowing stroke play, forming a century stand with Iyer that propelled India past the 250-run mark at a rapid pace. The young opener reached his seventh ODI ton before Rashid cleaned him up, triggering a mini-collapse. The leg spinner was England’s standout bowler, finishing with 4/64. KL Rahul’s quickfire 40 provided late impetus, but disciplined death bowling ensured India did not push past 375, with the hosts putting up 356-10.
England’s batting one again fail
England, in response, crumbled under scoreboard pressure, folding for 214. Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh starred with the ball, ensuring a one-sided finish to the series.
England’s positives were few and far between. Adil Rashid (4/64) continued to be their most potent bowler, while Gus Atkinson’s late flourish with the bat (38* off 19) was a rare spark. Tom Banton showed glimpses of promise, and Mark Wood’s pace was effective in bursts. Banton is here just to promote Brendon McCullum’s helter-skelter approach as he replaces Jacob Bethell in the Champions Trophy squad. However, with their middle order crumbling in all three games and no clear answers on how to fix it, England head into the Champions Trophy with more questions than solutions.
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Their openers got starts but failed to convert, while India’s bowlers operated with precision and clarity. Despite being taken for early boundaries, Rohit Sharma kept faith in Arshdeep Singh, who rewarded his captain by dismissing both openers. Harshit Rana shook off an expensive start to end with impressive figures of 2/31 in five overs, showcasing his wicket-taking ability. Meanwhile, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav maintained their stranglehold in the middle overs, with Axar’s all-round performances being another major takeaway from this series.
Rohit Sharma’s India—the team to beat in the Champions Trophy
Could there have been a better dress rehearsal before the ICC Champions Trophy? This series showcased India’s depth, balance, and firepower, with different players stepping up in each game. Gill was the linchpin throughout, saving his best for last at his favorite venue, where his seventh ODI hundred oozed both solidity and flair.
Shreyas Iyer’s explosive form was another revelation. The right-hander played fearless, counter-attacking knocks that often turned the tide in India’s favor. His 78 off 64 today was just another reminder of his immense value to the middle order. Perhaps the biggest boost, however, was Virat Kohli returning to form with his first ODI fifty since the 2023 World Cup final. With him and Rohit both among the runs, India’s top order looks in formidable shape heading into the marquee tournament. KL Rahul also made a handy contribution with a brisk 40, ensuring the entire batting lineup had valuable time in the middle.
If this series proved anything, it’s that India will be the team to beat in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy. Their batting lineup is firing on all cylinders—Rohit Sharma, Gill, and Virat Kohli are all in ominous form, while Shreyas Iyer has been the most destructive batter of the series. KL Rahul and Axar Patel have added crucial middle-order stability, making India’s top six look rock solid.
On the bowling front, Harshit Rana has emerged as a genuine wicket-taking option, while Arshdeep Singh continues to impress with the new ball. Mohammed Shami, who didn’t play the third ODI, looked in decent rhythm as well in the first two games. Axar Patel’s form with both bat and ball has added depth, and Kuldeep Yadav remains a lethal weapon in the middle overs. This team has all bases covered, and with the momentum firmly on their side, India will walk into the Champions Trophy as clear favorites.
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