Rohit Sharma’s Heroic Century Seals ODI Series Win for India Against England

England Posts a Challenging Target

Opting to bat first, England started strongly, with openers Ben Duckett and Phil Salt setting a solid foundation. Duckett’s aggressive 65 off 56 balls gave England early momentum, while Joe Root played a composed innings of 69, anchoring the middle order. However, India’s disciplined bowling attack, led by Ravindra Jadeja, who claimed 3 for 35, restricted England to 304 runs.

Despite England’s promising start, their middle order struggled to accelerate, losing crucial wickets at key moments. Late cameos from Jos Buttler and Liam Livingstone helped England cross the 300-run mark, but they fell short of putting up a truly imposing total.

Rohit Sharma’s Batting Brilliance

Chasing 305, India faced an initial hiccup when a floodlight failure caused a brief delay. However, once play resumed, Rohit Sharma took center stage. The Indian captain led from the front, crafting a magnificent 119 off just 90 balls, smashing 15 boundaries and 4 sixes.

Shubman Gill played a crucial supporting role, contributing 60 runs as the duo put together a 100-run opening stand. Even as England struck back with a few quick wickets in the middle overs, Rohit’s brilliance ensured India remained in control of the chase.

Towards the end, all-rounder Axar Patel’s composed 41* not out helped India cross the finish line in 44.3 overs, securing a commanding victory.

A Timely Return to Form for Rohit

This innings was a much-needed boost for Rohit Sharma, who had been under scrutiny for his recent dip in form. Having stepped away from a Test match last month to reassess his game, this match-winning knock proved that the Indian skipper remains a force to be reckoned with. His ability to handle pressure and take on the English attack with ease showcased his class and experience.

England’s Bowling Woes Continue

England’s bowlers struggled to break India’s rhythm, missing the services of their injured pacer Jacob Bethell. While Reece Topley and Adil Rashid managed to pick up wickets, they failed to contain India’s aggressive approach. The inability to dismiss Rohit early on proved to be England’s biggest downfall.

What’s Next?

With this win, India has sealed the series, making the final ODI in Ahmedabad a mere formality. However, both teams will use the upcoming match to fine-tune their strategies ahead of the highly anticipated Champions Trophy.

India will look to complete a clean sweep, while England will aim to salvage some pride before shifting focus to their next international assignment.