AHMEDABAD: A robust batting show led by the Shubman Gill’s attractive century heralded India’s 142-run hammering of England in the third and final ODI as the hosts completed a dominant 3-0 clean sweep to culminate preparations for the Champions Trophy, here on Wednesday.
India ticked all the remaining boxes with vice-captain Gill (112) following up his twin fifties earlier in the series with a seventh ODI ton of his career while middle-order mainstays Virat Kohli (52) and Shreyas Iyer (78) pushed India to a formidable 356 in the first half.
The Indian bowlers then took over the mantle to complete the England demolition job, bundling out the visitors for a mere 214 in 34.2 overs to complete a comprehensive victory – their second largest in ODIs in terms of runs against a familiar opponent.
There was no change in the script for English, who came crashing down against spin after a sparkling start against pace, which was provided by the pair of Ben Duckett (34) and Phil Salt (24) in tow.
The slowness of the surface aided Indian bowlers as strike-making became difficult as the match progressed.
Duckett took charge of England’s response early on but played one shot too many.
After smacking Arshdeep Singh (2/33) for four consecutive boundaries around the park in the fifth over, he again went after the left-arm seamer but was deceived by the ‘pace off’ knuckle ball.
The mishit was collected cleanly by India skipper Rohit Sharma at mid-off and Arshdeep soon bounced out Salt, albeit off a slower one which the batter hit meekly to Axar Patel for a simple grab.
Tom Banton gave a good example of himself playing his first ODI against India, hitting a couple of attractive reverse sweeps against spinners but he could not push on beyond a 41-ball 38 with four fours and two sixes.
Joe Root perished for just 24 when an inside edge off Axar (2/22) crashed into his stumps and Harshit Rana (2/31) hastened the end of England’s resistance by getting the rid of Harry Brook (19) and Jos Buttler (6) in quick succession.
From 84/2 after 10 overs, England’s resolve petered out as the Indian bowlers tightened the screws with regular strikes and the visitors also lacked gumption on a pitch which remained true in its nature.
Earlier, Gill led the way with a fluent 112 while Kohli and Iyer also cashed in on ideal conditions in their last outing before the Champions Trophy, helping India set a 357-run target.
Gill anchored India’s innings en route to his seventh ODI ton 112 off 104 balls (14x4s, 3x6s) which also took his average past 60 in the format while putting on two century stands with Kohli and Iyer to consolidate for India.