CHESTER-LE-STREET — England suffered a comprehensive defeat against India in the decisive third one-day international at Emirates Riverside, as the tourists secured a 2-1 series victory with a commanding performance. The hosts, who had leveled the series in a thrilling second ODI, were outplayed in all departments, with India’s batting and bowling units delivering under pressure.
Chasing a challenging target of 330, England collapsed to 259 all out, falling short by 70 runs. The defeat highlighted recurring issues in England’s ODI setup, particularly their middle-order fragility and inability to handle high-quality spin. India, meanwhile, showcased their depth, with standout performances from Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant, and Yuzvendra Chahal sealing the series.
India’s Batting Dominance
After being put into bat, India posted a formidable 329/9, thanks to a blistering 71 off 55 balls from Hardik Pandya and a composed 78 from Rishabh Pant. The visitors accelerated in the final 10 overs, adding 112 runs, with Pandya’s explosive hitting proving decisive. England’s bowlers struggled to contain the onslaught, particularly in the death overs, where Reece Topley and Brydon Carse conceded heavily.
India’s innings was built on key partnerships:
- Pant and Pandya added 133 runs for the fifth wicket, dismantling England’s spin attack.
- Rohit Sharma provided a steady start with 37, while Shikhar Dhawan contributed 31.
- Late cameos from Ravindra Jadeja (21* off 10) and Shardul Thakur (15 off 6) pushed India past 325.
England’s Chase Falters
England’s reply began promisingly, with Jonny Bairstow (38) and Jason Roy (32) putting on 68 for the first wicket. However, the introduction of spin derailed their momentum. Yuzvendra Chahal (3/60) and Jadeja (1/42) applied relentless pressure, with England’s middle order crumbling under the weight of the required run rate.
Captain Jos Buttler (30) and Liam Livingstone (27) offered brief resistance, but neither could convert their starts into a match-winning knock. Pandya, who had already starred with the bat, returned to take 2/28, including the crucial wicket of Moeen Ali (15). Speaking after the match, Buttler admitted, "We were outplayed today. India’s spinners were exceptional, and we didn’t adapt well enough under pressure."
Key Turning Points
The match swung decisively in India’s favor during two critical phases:
- Pandya-Pant Partnership: Their 133-run stand shifted momentum after India were 169/4 in the 32nd over.
- Chahal’s Double Strike: The leg-spinner removed Bairstow and Joe Root (11) in quick succession, leaving England at 102/3.
Series Takeaways
For India, the series win reinforced their ODI credentials ahead of the 2023 World Cup. Pant’s maturity at No. 4 and Pandya’s all-round brilliance were major positives. Chahal’s control in the middle overs (8 wickets in the series) also stood out. Coach Rahul Dravid praised the team’s adaptability, saying, "We knew England would come hard, but the boys showed great composure in crunch moments."
England, meanwhile, face questions about their post-2019 World Cup transition. The absence of Ben Stokes (retired from ODIs) and Eoin Morgan (retired) was evident, with the middle order lacking firepower. Buttler acknowledged the need for improvement, stating, "We’ve got work to do. This series exposed gaps we need to address before the World Cup."
Conclusion
India’s victory in Chester-le-Street capped a hard-fought series, underlining their status as one of the favorites for the upcoming World Cup. For England, the defeat serves as a wake-up call, with limited time to refine their squad before the global tournament. The series also highlighted the growing importance of spin in ODI cricket, with Chahal and Jadeja outbowling their English counterparts. As the teams shift focus to the T20I leg, India will take confidence from this win, while England must regroup quickly.