Ahmedabad (Gujarat), February 12: A superb century by Shubman Gill and well-constructed fifties from Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer guided India to a total of 356/10 in their 50 overs against England in the third and final ODI at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium on Wednesday.
India now needs to defend 357 runs to complete a clean sweep of the three-match series, having already won the first two ODIs.
England, after winning the toss and opting to bowl, started strongly by dismissing Rohit Sharma early for just 1 run off two balls. The Indian captain’s dismissal came when Phil Salt caught him behind the stumps off a Mark Wood delivery, leaving India at 6/1.
However, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli stabilised the innings with a solid partnership. While Gill played an aggressive role, Kohli looked to regain his form, striking some beautiful shots against the pacers. By the end of 10 overs, India was at 52/1, with Gill (28)* and Kohli (17)* unbeaten.
As the innings progressed, Kohli began to play with more confidence, taking on the spin of Joe Root with some delightful boundaries. India crossed the 100-run mark in 16.4 overs, with Kohli reaching his 73rd ODI fifty in 50 balls. Gill also reached his half-century in 51 balls, with nine fours and a six.
The pair’s partnership was broken when Adil Rashid trapped Kohli for 52 off 55 balls, including seven fours and a six. India was at 122/2 in 19 overs. This dismissal came after the duo had scored 16 runs off Liam Livingstone’s over, including a six each by Kohli and Gill.
Shreyas Iyer and Gill carried the momentum forward, helping India reach 150 in 23.3 overs. By the time India crossed 200 runs in 30.4 overs, the pair had added 78 runs together.
Gill reached his seventh ODI century in 95 balls, including seven fours and a six. Iyer also brought up his fifty in 43 balls, with six fours and six.
However, Rashid broke their partnership by dismissing Gill for 112 off 102 balls, which included 14 fours and three sixes. India was at 226/3 in 34.3 overs, with the pair contributing 104 runs.
As India reached 250 runs in 37.3 overs, Rashid once again struck, dismissing Iyer for 78 off 64 balls with eight fours and two sixes, leaving India at 259/4 in 38.2 overs.
Hardik Pandya came in next, looking to accelerate with two successive sixes off Rashid, but was dismissed for 17 off 9 balls. India was at 289/5 in 41 overs.
Axar Patel and KL Rahul then took India to the 300-run mark in 42.3 overs. However, Tom Banton caught Axar for 13 off 12 balls, leaving India at 307/6 in 43.5 overs.
Wickets continued to fall despite a solid run rate. Saqib Mahmood removed KL Rahul for 40 off 29 balls, including three fours and a six, with India at 333/7 in 46.4 overs. Buttler caught Harshit Rana, who was dismissed for 13 off 10 balls. India was at 353/8 in 49 overs.
Mark Wood dismissed Washington Sundar for 14 off 14 balls, leaving India at 353/9 in 49.3 overs. Arshdeep Singh was run out by Salt, and India finished their innings at 356/10 in 50 overs.
Rashid was the pick of the bowlers for England, claiming 4/64 in his 10 overs. Wood took 2/45 in 9 overs, while Root, Atkinson, and Mahmood each claimed a wicket.
India will now look to defend the target of 357 runs to complete the 3-0 series sweep.