📅July 19, 2026 | By Pulse India News Desk
England defeated India by 27 runs at Lord’s to win the three-match ODI series 2-1, surviving a magnificent 138 from Rohit Sharma and a fighting 74 from Virat Kohli.
| Match | England vs India, 3rd ODI |
| Venue | Lord’s, London |
| England | 387/3 in 50 overs |
| India | 360/7 in 50 overs |
| Result | England won by 27 runs |
| Series Result | England won the series 2-1 |
| Player of the Match | Jacob Bethell |
| Player of the Series | Joe Root |
England First Innings: Duckett and Bethell Build the Platform
England approached the decider with control rather than all-out aggression. Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell handled the new ball confidently, rotated the strike and punished loose deliveries as India struggled to create an early breakthrough.
Their 192-run opening partnership placed England in command. Duckett went on to score a superb 141 from 135 balls, while Bethell contributed 91 from 93. Even after the partnership ended, Joe Root kept the innings moving with an unbeaten 74 from 48 balls.
Jos Buttler then supplied the decisive late acceleration, smashing 41 not out from only 13 deliveries. India conceded heavily in the final three overs, allowing England to surge to 387/3 and leave the visitors facing a record chase at Lord’s.
India Second Innings: Rohit’s 138 Keeps the Chase Alive
India began the chase with composure as Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill added 147 for the first wicket. Gill scored 77 from 84 balls, while Rohit gradually increased the tempo and kept India close to the required rate.
Rohit then produced a magnificent 138 from 110 balls, striking 17 fours and five sixes. Virat Kohli supported him with 74 from 60 deliveries, and their 113-run partnership carried India to 260/1 in the 39th over.
The match changed when Jacob Bethell dismissed Rohit. Sam Curran then used slower balls and changes of pace to remove Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Kohli and Axar Patel. India still reached 360/7, but the middle-order slowdown left them 27 runs short.
Mohammad Kaif: Leave Rohit and Kohli Alone
“Leave Rohit and Kohli alone. Write them off at your peril.”
Mohammad Kaif’s message was reinforced at Lord’s. Rohit scored a superb 138 and Kohli contributed 74 in a chase of 388, showing that both senior batters remain capable of influencing major ODI contests.
Questions about age and future planning will continue ahead of the 2027 World Cup, but judging experienced players only through short-term form remains risky. Their technique, awareness and ability to handle pressure still provide India with qualities that are difficult to replace.
Brief Scores
England 387/3 in 50 overs defeated India 360/7 in 50 overs by 27 runs.
England – Top Batters: Ben Duckett 141, Jacob Bethell 91, Joe Root 74*, Jos Buttler 41*
India – Top Bowlers: Prasidh Krishna 2/69, Prince Yadav 1/79
India – Top Batters: Rohit Sharma 138, Shubman Gill 77, Virat Kohli 74
England – Top Bowlers: Sam Curran 4/75, Jacob Bethell 1/49, Jofra Archer 1/63, Adil Rashid 1/64
Player of the Match: Jacob Bethell
Bethell played a mature innings at the top of the order, sharing a 192-run opening partnership with Duckett and helping England establish the platform for 387.
His most decisive contribution came with the ball when he dismissed Rohit Sharma for 138. That wicket broke India’s momentum and changed the direction of the chase.
Bethell’s all-round influence made him the clear Player of the Match in the series decider.
Player of the Series: Joe Root
Joe Root was named Player of the Series after another outstanding ODI campaign. His unbeaten 74 in the decider followed a match-winning 99 not out in the second ODI.
Root’s consistency, adaptability and control through the middle overs were central to England’s comeback from 1-0 down to win the series 2-1.
Key Records and Statistics
- Highest ODI aggregate at Lord’s: The match produced 747 runs, surpassing the previous highest aggregate at the venue.
- India’s second-highest ODI total in England: India’s 360/7 is behind only their 373/6 against Sri Lanka at Taunton in 1999.
- Second-highest ODI aggregate in England: The 747-run match trails only the 763-run New Zealand–England ODI at The Oval in 2015.
- England’s landmark series win: This was England’s first bilateral ODI series victory against India or Australia since 2019.
- India’s SENA struggle: India have won seven and lost 15 of 24 ODIs in SENA countries during the 2020s.
- Series record: India have lost six of eight ODI series in SENA conditions during this period.
What the Captains Said
Harry Brook – England Captain
Brook said he was extremely proud of England’s fight, communication and ability to defeat the world’s No. 1 ODI side.
He praised the opening partnership between Duckett and Bethell, Root’s control and Buttler’s late acceleration. Brook also credited Brendon McCullum’s suggestion to use Bethell in a long spell, a decision that produced Rohit’s crucial wicket.
Shubman Gill – India Captain
Gill felt India remained in the match until the final phase of England’s innings, when the hosts scored heavily and pushed the target beyond a manageable level.
He admitted India bowled too many loose deliveries in the powerplay and praised England’s openers for denying the bowlers a route back into the contest.
Gill also praised Rohit’s 138, describing the innings as a treat to watch on a surface that became slower later in the day.
Why England Won the Series
England’s victory was built on adaptation. After losing the opening ODI, they responded with a disciplined chase in Cardiff and then produced a complete batting performance at Lord’s.
Their top order established a clear template, Root controlled the middle overs and the lower order provided explosive finishing. With the ball, Curran, Bethell and Rashid used changes of pace effectively when conventional seam bowling became expensive.
The series also offered signs that England’s ODI rebuild is progressing. Duckett, Bethell and Brook provide a younger core around experienced players such as Root, Buttler, Curran and Rashid.
Where India Lost the Decider
India’s biggest problem was their death bowling. Conceding close to 60 runs across the final three overs transformed a difficult chase into a near-impossible one.
The batting response was excellent for long periods, but the middle order could not sustain the pressure once Rohit was dismissed. Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel contributed only 16 runs between them.
India reached 260/1 but lost six wickets for 69 runs before the lower-order partnership added late respectability.
Final Verdict
England deservedly won the series after producing their strongest all-round performance in the deciding ODI.
Duckett and Bethell created the platform, Root and Buttler supplied the acceleration, and Curran’s four wickets ensured Rohit’s heroic 138 did not become a match-winning innings.
India can take encouragement from the performances of Rohit, Gill and Kohli, but losing the series after leading 1-0 will be viewed as a missed opportunity.
Final score: England 387/3 defeated India 360/7 by 27 runs. England won the ODI series 2-1.
England vs India England vs India 3rd ODI England India ODI Series Rohit Sharma 138 Virat Kohli 74 Jacob Bethell Joe Root Ben Duckett Sam Curran Mohammad Kaif Rohit Kohli Retirement India Cricket England Cricket Lord’s ODI ODI Match Review
