Rohit Sharma's ton goes in vain as England beat India to clinch ODI series

LONDON: Veteran opener Rohit Sharma's fighting century supported by half-centuries from skipper Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli went in vain as England thumped India by 27 runs in the third and final ODI to clinch the series 2-1 here at Lord's Cricket Ground on Sunday.

Chasing a daunting target of 388, India were restricted to 360-7 despite fighting knocks from their top-order trio of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill, as the rest of the batting line-up failed to make significant contributions.

Rohit Sharma led the chase with a valiant 138 off 110 deliveries, smashing 17 fours and five sixes. Shubman Gill made 77 from 84 balls, including 10 fours and a six.

Virat Kohli also impressed with a fluent 74 off 60 deliveries, striking four fours and three sixes. Apart from the top three, Gurnoor Brar remained unbeaten on 18 from 14 balls, hitting one four and a six.

Arshdeep Singh chipped in with a quickfire 15 off six deliveries, including three fours, while Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul scored 14 and 12 respectively.

For England, Sam Curran starred with the ball, claiming 4/75 in his 10 overs. Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid and Jacob Bethell picked up one wicket each.

Batting first, the hosts posted a formidable 387-3 in their allotted 50 overs courtesy of exceptional batting performances from openers Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell, who gave their side a dominant start with a 192-run opening partnership.

Duckett top-scored with a superb 141 off 135 deliveries, studded with 15 fours and one six, while Bethell contributed 91 from 93 balls, including 11 fours and two sixes.

Veteran batter Joe Root played a brilliant innings of 74 off 48 deliveries, striking nine fours, while Jos Buttler smashed a fiery 41 off just 13 balls, including four fours and three sixes. Captain Harry Brook chipped in with 14 runs.

For India, Prasidh Krishna led the bowling attack with figures of 2/69 in 10 overs, while Prince Yadav claimed one wicket. Gurnoor Brar endured a difficult outing, returning wicketless figures of 0/97 in his 10 overs, the third-most expensive bowling figures by an Indian bowler in ODI history.