England Clinch ODI Series 2-1 Despite Rohit Sharma’s Magnificent 138 at Lord’s

Score: England 387/3 (50 overs) beat India 360/7 (50 overs) by 27 runs
England win the three-match ODI series 2-1

London, July 2026 : Rohit Sharma produced one of the finest innings of his ODI career with a breathtaking 138, but his heroic knock was overshadowed by England’s clinical all-round performance as the hosts defeated India by 27 runs in a high-scoring third and final ODI at Lord’s on Sunday to seal the three-match series 2-1.

In pursuit of a daunting target of 388, India fought valiantly through a sensational opening stand and a remarkable century from Rohit. However, England’s disciplined bowling at the death, coupled with a game-changing spell from young all-rounder Jacob Bethell and Sam Curran’s clever variations, ensured that the visitors fell short despite finishing with an imposing 360/7.

The defeat denied Rohit a memorable victory after he became the first Indian batter to score an ODI century at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground. His sparkling 138 came off just 111 deliveries and featured 17 boundaries and five towering sixes. Captain Shubman Gill contributed a stylish 77, while Virat Kohli added a composed 74, but the trio’s efforts ultimately proved insufficient.

Earlier, England had posted a formidable 387/3 after Ben Duckett played a magnificent innings of 141, while Jacob Bethell remained unbeaten on 91. Jos Buttler then provided the finishing flourish with a breathtaking unbeaten 41 off only 13 deliveries, propelling England to a total that eventually proved beyond India’s reach.

The hosts’ explosive finish with the bat made a decisive difference. England hammered 82 runs in the final five overs, with Buttler unleashing an array of boundaries and sixes to push the total close to the 400-run mark. India’s bowlers, who had maintained reasonable control for much of the innings, struggled to contain the late onslaught.

India’s chase began cautiously against the pace attack of Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson. Captain Gill endured an early scare after being struck painfully on the right arm by an Atkinson delivery but quickly recovered. He responded positively by driving Archer elegantly through the covers for India’s opening boundary before gradually finding his rhythm.

Rohit, meanwhile, took a few overs to settle before launching his trademark attacking strokeplay. He broke the shackles against Atkinson with a fortunate boundary before taking charge against Josh Tongue, smashing two consecutive fours and a massive pull shot for six in an over that shifted the momentum firmly in India’s favour.

The Indian openers continued to dominate as England’s bowlers searched unsuccessfully for breakthroughs. Gill looked in sublime touch, mixing elegant drives with aggressive strokeplay. He dispatched leg-spinner Adil Rashid through extra cover before bringing up his fifty from 53 deliveries with another exquisite boundary.

Rohit also gathered momentum steadily, punishing anything short or overpitched. He produced trademark pulls, sweeps and flicks while rotating the strike intelligently. Together, the pair raised India’s 100 in the 19th over, marking the first occasion in ODI history that both teams had registered century opening partnerships in a match at Lord’s.

Gill continued his fluent innings by taking on both spin and pace, including a towering six over deep mid-wicket against Will Jacks. Shortly after crossing his half-century, he briefly required medical attention after suffering from cramps but continued batting confidently.

At the other end, Rohit accelerated further, reaching his fifty with consecutive paddle shots to the fine-leg boundary before launching an assault on England’s spinners. He repeatedly swept Rashid, drove Archer confidently and dominated every bowler who entered the attack.

India’s opening partnership finally ended at 147 in the 25th over when Gill attempted to sweep Rashid but missed a quicker delivery and was trapped leg-before wicket. The decision was confirmed after England reviewed successfully.

Virat Kohli then joined Rohit and immediately looked comfortable. The former captain struck Rashid straight back down the ground before playing some elegant strokes against Archer as India continued to maintain the required scoring rate.

With his century approaching, Rohit produced another burst of brilliance against Josh Tongue. He cleared the ropes twice in succession before reaching his 34th ODI century in just 85 balls. It was a landmark innings that silenced speculation surrounding his future and reaffirmed his status as one of world cricket’s premier white-ball batters.

The hundred also carried historical significance. Rohit became the first Indian to score an ODI century at Lord’s and registered the highest individual ODI score by an Indian batter in England.

As Kohli temporarily slowed his scoring to consolidate the innings, Rohit kept India firmly in contention with regular boundaries off Sam Curran and Jacob Bethell. The second-wicket partnership flourished before England finally found the breakthrough they desperately needed.

Bethell, who had already impressed with the bat, produced the turning point of the match. After Rohit had smashed him for a huge six over deep mid-wicket, the young left-arm spinner deceived him with a straighter delivery. Attempting another sweep, Rohit completely missed the ball, which crashed into the stumps.

The packed Lord’s crowd rose to applaud Rohit as he walked back after a magnificent innings that had nearly carried India to an extraordinary chase.

At that stage, India still required 59 runs from 69 deliveries with plenty of batting remaining. Kohli continued to anchor the innings and soon completed his half-century by lofting Will Jacks straight down the ground for six before repeating the shot later in the over.

However, England regained complete control through Sam Curran. Using slower deliveries and intelligent variations, Curran dismissed Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer within four deliveries, dramatically shifting the momentum.

Kohli attempted to keep India’s hopes alive, striking Bethell for a straight six before accelerating further. But Curran struck once more, inducing a mistimed drive from Kohli that was safely caught at cover.

With Kohli’s dismissal, India’s hopes effectively disappeared. England maintained disciplined lines during the closing overs, ensuring that the remaining batters could not produce the late assault required to overhaul the imposing target.

Bethell emerged as one of England’s standout performers, contributing a valuable unbeaten 91 before returning figures of 1/49 in seven economical overs. More importantly, his dismissal of Rohit proved to be the defining moment of the contest. Curran finished with outstanding figures of 4/75, while England’s bowlers collectively executed their plans superbly during the final phase of India’s chase.

The victory capped an impressive series for England, who recovered strongly after setbacks to claim the deciding match and secure the ODI series 2-1. For India, despite Rohit Sharma’s record-breaking century and solid contributions from Gill and Kohli, the inability to contain England’s late batting surge and the middle-order collapse ultimately proved costly.

Brief Scores:
England 387/3 in 50 overs (Ben Duckett 141, Jacob Bethell 91*; Prasidh Krishna 2/69, Prince Yadav 1/79) beat India 360/7 in 50 overs (Rohit Sharma 138, Shubman Gill 77, Virat Kohli 74; Sam Curran 4/75, Jacob Bethell 1/49) by 27 runs to win the three-match ODI series 2-1.