Ben Duckett’s 141 and Jacob Bethell’s all-round display helped England beat India by 27 runs at Lord’s despite Rohit Sharma’s 138 to seal the ODI series 2-1.
England players celebrate with the winners' trophy after defeating India in the third and final ODI match to clinch the three-match series 2-1 at Lord's Cricket Ground in London on Sunday, July 19, 2026. (Photo: IANS)
Ben Duckett’s sparkling 141 overshadowed Rohit Sharma’s record-breaking 138 as England defeated India by 27 runs in a high-scoring third ODI at Lord’s on Sunday to clinch the three-match series 2-1.
Chasing a daunting 388, India rode on a brilliant opening stand between Rohit and Shubman Gill before collapsing at a crucial stage to finish on 360/7, as England’s bowlers held their nerve in the closing overs.
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Earlier, England piled up 387/3, the highest List A total at Lord’s, courtesy of Duckett’s superb century, Jacob Bethell’s career-best 91 and a late onslaught from Jos Buttler.
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Choosing to bat, England made full use of the batting-friendly conditions with Duckett and Bethell putting on a record 192-run opening partnership, the highest by any England pair against India in ODI history.
Duckett struck 141 off 135 balls, smashing 18 fours and a six, while Bethell contributed a fluent 91 off 93 deliveries, registering his maiden ODI half-century as an opener.
Joe Root continued his rich vein of form with another half-century before Jos Buttler provided the finishing flourish, hammering an unbeaten 41 off just 13 balls as England amassed 126 runs in the final 10 overs, including 82 in the last five, to finish on 387/3.
India’s inexperienced bowling attack struggled throughout, conceding 26 extras. Gurnoor Brar endured a difficult outing, returning figures of 0/97, the most expensive ODI spell at Lord’s.
India’s chase got off to the perfect start as Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill stitched together a 147-run opening stand, laying the platform for what looked like a successful record chase.
Gill made a composed 77, while Rohit answered his critics with a magnificent 138 off 104 balls, featuring 17 fours and five sixes.
The Indian skipper brought up his 34th ODI century in just 85 deliveries, becoming the first Indian batter to score an ODI hundred at Lord’s. His 138 is also the highest individual ODI score by an Indian batter in England.
However, the match turned after Rohit’s dismissal. Bethell cleaned up the India captain before Sam Curran produced a decisive spell, removing Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer and later Virat Kohli to derail the chase.
Kohli kept India’s hopes alive with a brisk 74 off 42 balls, but England’s disciplined death bowling ensured the visitors fell 27 runs short, handing the hosts the series.
While India’s batting showed enough firepower to challenge a daunting target, the bowling attack once again came under scrutiny.
Missing injured pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, India struggled to contain England’s batters and lacked a sixth bowling option. The decision to leave Kuldeep Yadav out throughout the series is also likely to come under the scanner after England dominated the middle and death overs.
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