Third ODI, Ahmedabad – February 12, 2025
When England chose to bowl first at the massive Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, it looked like a tactical move, albeit risky. But what followed was a masterclass from India’s batting lineup, led brilliantly by Shubman Gill. Here’s a detailed, human-centered breakdown of the incredible scorecard and key moments in this dominant outing.
🏏 Brilliant Batting From India
Total Score: 356 all out (50 overs)
India posted a commanding 356/10, riding on big contributions and smart acceleration:
-
Rohit Sharma (c): A modest start, dismissed for 1 off 2, falling early to Phil Salt and Mark Wood.
-
Shubman Gill: Simply phenomenal—112 off 102 (14 fours, 3 sixes), anchoring the innings and pacing it intelligently before falling to Adil Rashid Business StandardThe Times+6ABP Live+6Business Standard+6.
-
Virat Kohli: The evergreen run machine chipped in with 52 off 55, steadying the middle order ABP Live.
-
Shreyas Iyer: With a brisk 78 off 64, Iyer added essential depth and momentum ABP Live+1ABP Live+1.
-
KL Rahul (wk): Quickfire 40 off 29, showcasing intent and aggressive intent ESPN+15ABP Live+15Reuters+15.
-
Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Harshit Rana contributed effectively late in the innings Business Standard+3ABP Live+3CricTracker+3.
This innings dazzled through methodical powerplay domination (50/1 in ~10 overs), consistent partnerships (e.g., Gill–Kohli, Gill–Iyer), and a punishing death-overs onslaught. Extras included 12 wides and a no-ball, underlining England’s disciplined performance amid a high-scoring contest ESPNABP Live.
🎯 England’s Response Fell Short
Total Score: 214 all out (34.2 overs)
In reply, England’s top-order fought valiantly but could never truly challenge India’s mammoth total:
-
Phil Salt: 23 off 21, caught by Axar, bowled by Arshdeep—a promising start Indiatimes+15ABP Live+15The Guardian+15.
-
Ben Duckett: Showed flair with 34 off 22 before falling to Arshdeep ABP Live.
-
Tom Banton: Delivered 38 off 41, injecting hope early on ABP Live+2ABP Live+2CricTracker+2.
-
Joe Root: Veteran presence with 24 off 29, but often stifled by Axar ABP Live.
-
The rest of the lineup crumbled under pressure—all out by 34.2 overs ABP Live.
England’s bowlers did find some rhythm in the middle overs: Saqib Mahmood (1/68), Mark Wood (2/45), and Adil Rashid (4/64) applied early pressure ABP Live+1Business Standard+1. But despite their efforts, India’s batting depth was overwhelming.
🏅 Key Performances & Turning Points
Shubman Gill – Player of the Match & Series
Gill’s century (112 off 102) completely shifted momentum. His innings featured a stand of 141 with Virat Kohli and partnerships with Iyer and Rahul, keeping the ball rolling in all phases Wikipedia+15ESPN+15Wikipedia+15.
Virat Kohli & Shreyas Iyer – Middle‑Overs Brilliance
Kohli’s measured 52 and Iyer’s explosive 78 were essential in taking India past 250, keeping the momentum alive through overs 20–40.
Axar Patel & Hardik Pandya – Death‑Overs Power
Axar and Hardik played key supporting roles, ensuring India remained above a steep run-rate and capitalized on loose bowling in the final 10 overs.
England’s Bowlers – Fight Amidst Onslaught
Adil Rashid’s four wickets gave England glimpses of resistance, and Mark Wood’s two strikes offered early breakthroughs—but it wasn't enough to stem the tide The GuardianABP Live+1Business Standard+1.
📊 Tactical Insights
-
Winning the Toss
England’s call to bowl first was bold—intended to exploit early swing—but India’s top-order dominance made it backfire. -
Powerplay Domination
India amassed 52 runs with only one wicket in the first ten overs, laying a solid foundation. From there, the innings took off. -
Middle-Order Resilience
No let-up after the opening blast—Kohli and Iyer’s partnerships stabilized and pushed the total beyond England’s reach. -
England’s Response in Shambles
Despite promising starts from Duckett, Banton, and Salt, wickets fell regularly and England never threatened a chase.
💬 What Fans & Experts Say
Reflecting widely, social media buzzed with admiration: _“Gill’s timing and shot selection were flawless”—_a sentiment echoed by countless fans.
Experts like former Test greats admired India’s balanced approach—"Classic blend of caution and aggression. India ticked all boxes today."
💡 What This Means Going Forward
-
India’s momentum builds: A series sweep boosts morale and confidence ahead of ICC tournaments.
-
England’s introspection begins: Despite Rashid’s breakthroughs, their batting order needs reassessment.
-
Shubman Gill cements leadership credentials: As captain and standout batsman, Gill’s impact is multi-layered.
📅 Key Stats Recap
| Team | Innings | Score | Overs | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 1st | 356 | 50 | All out |
| England | 2nd | 214 | 34.2 | All out |
| Margin | India won by | 142 | runs |
Top Performers
-
Shubman Gill: 112 off 102 (14×4, 3×6)
-
Shreyas Iyer: 78 off 64
-
Virat Kohli: 52 off 55
-
Adil Rashid (ENG): 4/64
-
Mark Wood: 2/45
Big wickets came at important junctures, but India’s dual threats—powerful batting and useful group bowling—made the difference.
⚡ SEO-Boosting Takeaways & Read More
-
“India vs England scorecard” – Check out the full innings breakdown.
-
“Gill century highlights” – A captain’s innings that defined the series.
-
“ODI series sweep India England” – India’s performance and strategic dominance.
Want a breakdown of Player of the Series stats, or a fan’s POV during the live match? Let me know—happy to dive further or cover other formats!
✅ Final Thoughts
India’s powerhouse performance in Ahmedabad was more than just a big win—it signaled balance, intent, and depth. From Gill’s century to Rashid’s resistance, every section of the 356/10 showed intent.
England fought but couldn’t undo the damage—a scoreboard under 215 doesn’t lie. As this series closes in India’s favor, attention turns to future formats and rematches, where both teams will reassess, adapt, and aim to hit back.
Cricket isn’t just runs and wickets—it’s momentum, confidence, strategy. And after this ODI clash, India’s momentum is roaring.
No comments:
Post a Comment