India Decimate England To Complete 3-0 ODI Clean Sweep

England’s unwhelming tour came to an end following another embarrassing loss as India hammered the Three Lions in the final ODI in Ahmedabad. India’s emphatic win was headlined by Shubman Gill’s scintillating ton. Important contributions from the likes of Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer and late blitz from the lower middle order propelled India to 356.  In reply, England were bundled out for 214 around the halfway mark, resulting in a series whitewash. 

England started the daunting run chase with a bang. The openers came all guns blazing. Ben Duckett in particular was brutal against India’s new ball bowlers as he smashed four boundaries against Harshit Rana before hitting another four on the trot of Arshdeeep Singh’s bowling. As a result of this onslaught, England reached 60/0 in just six overs, setting themselves up for the massive chase. However, things drastically changed when Duckett failed to connect a knuckleball from Arshedeep and fell for 34. 

Tom Banton, given an opportunity to bat at No,3, began his inning with a switch-hit six against Washington Sundar, but at the other end, another slower delivery led to the departure of Phil Salt. While England did muster to score 84 runs in 9 overs, they lost both their openers who did the majority of scoring. Joe Root and Banton added caution to the wind and steadied the ship for a brief period before the latter was dismissed by Kuldeep Yadav. Joe Root fell soon after to Axar Patel. 

Rana then got the prized wicket of Jos Bultler, who chopped one onto his stumps to pretty much indicate the end. It was a familiar story for the visitors. Harry Brook endured a similar fate against the same bowler in the next over. Washington, who was expensive on the night, claimed the wicket of the last recognised batter in Liam Livingston. Hardik Pandya took two wickets to ensure at least one wicket for every bowler. If not for a few lusty strikes from Gus Atkinson and Mark Wood, England wouldn’t have reached the 200 run mark. 

Earlier in the day, India produced a batting masterclass to breach 350 after being asked to bat. Rohit Sharma, coming off a ton, was sent packing in the second over. Kohli then joined Gill in the middle. The duo added 116 runs for the second wicket before Adil Rashid broke the partnership. Kohli, who was under tremendous pressure, played a good knock of 52. The ace batter played some good shots during his 55-ball stay at the crease. 

At the end of 20 overs, India were in firm control with 125 runs on the board. Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill continued the onslaught as the hosts crossed the 200-run mark in the 30th over. Gill, playing his 50th ODI, registered his seventh ton and perished trying to up the ante. Pandya, Axar and even Rana chipped in with valuable cameos to steer India to 356.

Brief scores: India 356 in 50 overs (Shubman Gill 112, Shreyas Iyer 78; Adil Rashid 4/64, Mark Wood 2/45) beat England 214 in 34.2 overs (Gus Atkinson 38; Axar Patel 2/22, Harshit Rana 2/31) by 142 runs