India vs England 3rd ODI Live Updates: Gill and Kohli Anchor India After Rohit's Early Dismissal
Tension mounts at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, as India takes on England in the third and final ODI. With much at stake, England's captain Jos Buttler made the call to bowl first after winning the toss. The decision seemed strategic, anticipating potential spin issues later in the game. The pitch, a black soil surface reminiscent of the 2019 World Cup, was expected to favor the batsmen as the game progressed, despite starting with cracks and some moisture.
India's journey met an early bump as Rohit Sharma fell for a mere 1 run, being caught deftly by Tom Banton off Saqib Mahmood’s promising delivery. This early blow left India at 93/1, a scenario teetering on vulnerability. However, the dynamic duo, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli, stepped up to manage the innings with their calculated and aggressive approach.
Shubman Gill, undefeated at 62, displayed remarkable innovation on the field, mixing finesse with power by dancing down the track and executing elegant back-foot punches. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli, just 47 runs shy of a significant personal milestone, played with an eye on boosting his form and confidence as major tournaments lay ahead. His tactical approach signaled a resurgence in his batting prowess, serving not only India’s needs but his own redemption narrative.
For England, the middle order depth remains a persistent problem, hinting at vulnerabilities that India’s spinners, namely Kuldeep Yadav, are poised to exploit further. England's Adil Rashid also remained a critical element in the spin game, keeping the Indian batsmen in check where possible.
As the series stands, India is already ahead with a convincing 2-0 lead, aiming to cap off with a clean sweep victory. On the flip side, England sought to salvage pride and gain momentum ahead of the Champions Trophy. The match also brims with individual milestones—Rohit Sharma inches closer to 11,000 ODI runs, whereas Virat Kohli is eyeing the 14,000-run club.
This ODI not only signifies a test of skills but exhibits the relentless drive of both teams to assert dominance, with India looking to finish strong and England hoping to avoid a whitewash.