IND vs ENG: 3rd ODI – India clinch series despite Sam Curran’s sensational knock
India clinched the 3-match ODI series by 2-1 as they picked up a seven-run victory against England at the MCA Stadium, Pune. After posting 329 all out, India had to fight till the last over to finish at the top. It was England all-rounder Sam Curran who played a fighting knock of 95 not out to keep England alive in the game. However, T Natarajan delivered a splendid last over to hold Curran back. India thus managed to defeat England in all three-format series.
England spinners take down India’s top order
After being inserted to bat first, the Indian top-order was bitten by the English spinners. Adil Rashid, the leg-spinner sprang into the action by sending back Rohit Sharma after he had scored 37. The next blow was delivered by Moeen Ali who castled Virat Kohli on his personal score of 7. Shikhar Dhawan kept attacking from the end but he too was snared by Rashid after Dhawan had added 67 runs.
Pant and Hardik take on England
Huge wicket!
Sam Curran has the impressive Rishabh Pant caught behind for 78, and his 99-run fifth-wicket stand with Hardik Pandya is broken.
India are 256/5. #INDvENG ➡️ https://t.co/HvQMFer0ri pic.twitter.com/uvVqNWtLHO
— ICC (@ICC) March 28, 2021
India’s firepower in the middle-order was on display once again. Completing a smashing return to the Indian ODI side, Pant struck a magnificent 78 from just 62 balls. Hardik Pandya went ballistic at the other end in his knock of 66 from 44 balls. Their 99-run partnership consumed only 73 balls. Thakur’s cameo of 30 (21 balls) helped India reached their final total of 329 all out.
Sam Curran’s incredible fightback
The English top-order came out all guns blazing but they were thwarted by Indian seamers. With Bhuvneshwar Kumar, T Natarajan and Shardul Thakur turning up, England found themselves in trouble at 168/6 which soon turned into 200/7. However, Sam did not lose hope. The left-handed batsman played a super courageous innings of 95 not out and fought till the end. He was on strike when England needed 14 runs from the last over, however, he could not seal the victory. Curran registered the joint-highest individual score by a number eight batsman in ODIs.
