Rohit Sharma’s Men Dominate Series Ahead of Champions Trophy; Shubman Gill, Bowlers Shine
Ahmedabad, February 15, 2024 — In a display of sheer dominance, Team India sealed a resounding 3-0 ODI series sweep against England with a crushing 142-run victory in the third and final match at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Wednesday. The win not only underscored India’s supremacy in home conditions but also served as a timely confidence booster ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy, set to begin on February 19.
Match Recap: Gill’s Century Powers India to 356
Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, England captain Jos Buttler hoped to exploit early conditions. However, India’s batting unit, led by vice-captain Shubman Gill (112 off 102 balls), dismantled England’s plans with a masterclass in controlled aggression. Gill’s sublime century—adorned with 14 boundaries and 3 sixes—anchored India’s innings, earning him the Player of the Match award.
Supporting Acts:
- Shreyas Iyer (78 off 76) showcased his middle-order prowess, combining elegant strokeplay with sharp running.
- Virat Kohli (52 off 55) notched his 72nd ODI fifty, inching closer to the elusive 14,000-run milestone in the format (he now stands at 13,963 runs).
- KL Rahul (40 off 34) provided late fireworks, propelling India to a formidable 356 all-out in 50 overs.
England’s Bowling Struggles:
While leg-spinner Adil Rashid (4/64) stood out with his best ODI figures against India, the rest of England’s attack faltered. Debutant Gus Atkinson (0/74 in 8 overs) and part-timer Joe Root (0/47 in 5 overs) leaked runs, exposing the visitors’ lack of depth. Speedster Mark Wood (2/45) impressed with his raw pace but lacked consistent support.
England’s Bating Collapse: A Familiar Story
Chasing 357, England started brightly with Phil Salt (28) and Ben Duckett (38) adding 60 for the opening stand. However, the collapse began once Duckett holed out to Arshdeep Singh (2/40), who exploited his knack for breaking partnerships.
Key Moments in the Chase:
- Tom Banton (38 off 42), replacing the injured Jacob Bethell, showed promise but fell to Kuldeep Yadav’s (1/43) guile.
- Joe Root (22) was bowled by Axar Patel (2/45), exposing England’s middle-order fragility.
- Harshit Rana (2/33) and Hardik Pandya (2/28) dismantled the lower order, with England skittled for 214 in 34.2 overs.
England’s Batting Woes:
The visitors’ recurring issues against spin were laid bare once again. Across the series, England lost 42 wickets to spin at an average of 17.6, with Kuldeep, Axar, and Washington Sundar exploiting their technical frailties. Since 2022, England’s batters have lost a wicket every 29.8 balls—the second-worst rate among Test-playing nations.
Series Highlights: India’s All-Round Dominance
1. Batting Firepower:
- Shubman Gill emerged as India’s standout performer, amassing 258 runs in the series at a strike rate of 104.
- Virat Kohli crossed 4,000 international runs against England, joining legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Don Bradman.
- Rohit Sharma (1 in the final ODI) had earlier set the tone with a century in the second match.
2. Bowling Depth:
- India’s pacers (Arshdeep, Harshit, and Pandya) shared 8 wickets in the decider, proving their mettle in the middle overs.
- Spin trio Kuldeep, Axar, and Sundar combined for 14 wickets across the series, stifling England’s aggressive intent.
3. England’s Silver Linings:
- Adil Rashid (9 wickets in the series) was the lone warrior with the ball.
- Mark Wood’s express pace (consistently above 145 km/h) offered glimpses of hope.
Stats That Defined the Series
- India’s Biggest Wins vs England (by runs):
- 158 runs (Rajkot, 2008)
- 142 runs (Ahmedabad, 2024)
- 133 runs (Cardiff, 2014)
- Milestones:
- Virat Kohli needs 37 runs to become the third batter (after Tendulkar and Sangakkara) to reach 14,000 ODI runs.
- Shubman Gill now has 6 centuries in 44 ODIs, cementing his role as India’s future No. 3.
- England’s Alarming Numbers:
- Bowled out 6 times in 8 matches this tour.
- 9 wickets lost in the remaining two games.
Post-Match Reactions
Jos Buttler (England Captain):
“We were outplayed by a better team. Our style of cricket is the right way, but we need to execute it better. India challenged us with their spinners and pacers, and we couldn’t respond.”
Rohit Sharma (India Captain):
“This series win is a testament to our adaptability. We faced challenges head-on and improved with every game. The Champions Trophy is our next focus.”
Champions Trophy Outlook
India’s Momentum:
With a settled batting order and versatile bowling attack, India enters the Champions Trophy as a strong contender. Key players like Gill, Kohli, and Bumrah (set to return from rest) will be pivotal.
England’s Concerns:
- Ben Duckett’s groin injury casts doubt on his availability.
- The batting unit’s vulnerability against spin remains unresolved.
- Brendon McCullum’s first ODI series as coach ended in a 3-0 drubbing, raising questions about squad balance.
England begins their Champions Trophy campaign against Australia in Lahore on February 22, while India faces Pakistan in a high-octane opener on February 19.
Final Word
India’s clinical series sweep highlighted their depth and adaptability, while England’s struggles exposed systemic flaws. For the Men in Blue, the victory is a stepping stone toward ICC glory. For the Three Lions, it’s back to the drawing board—and fast.