Duckett century seals England's first ODI series win over India since 2018

Verified key facts

• England won the 3rd ODI at Lord's on 19 July by 27 runs, ESPNcricinfo reported
• England posted 387/3; India replied with 360/7 in a high-scoring finale
• Ben Duckett made 141 and Rohit Sharma hit 138 in the run-fest
• England took the three-match series 2-1, their first ODI series win over India since 2018
• Jacob Bethell (91) was Player of the Match; Joe Root was Player of the Series with 249 runs

A Lord's run-fest decides the series

England closed out a thrilling one-day series against India at Lord's. They won the third and deciding match by 27 runs on Sunday, 19 July. ESPNcricinfo reported a batting feast under the London sun. England posted 387 for 3, and India could only reach 360 for 7 in reply.

The victory sealed a 2-1 series result. It was England's first ODI series win over India since 2018, according to reports from the ground. The margin flattered the chase in some ways, since India kept swinging until the closing overs. The home crowd left satisfied after a tense finish.

Duckett leads the way

Ben Duckett set the tone with a commanding 141. The opener attacked from the first over and rarely relented. His innings gave England the platform for a huge total. Jacob Bethell supported him with a busy 91 and was later named Player of the Match.

Joe Root added an unbeaten 74 to steady the middle order. Jos Buttler finished with a rapid 41 not out to lift the total past 380. The batting depth proved decisive on a true surface. England had runs to spare, even against a strong Indian order.

• England 387/3: Duckett 141, Bethell 91, Root 74*, Buttler 41*
• India 360/7: Rohit Sharma 138, Shubman Gill 77, Virat Kohli 74
• Result: England won by 27 runs to take the series 2-1

Rohit fights to the end

India refused to fold in the chase. Rohit Sharma led the reply with a superb 138. The opener kept the required rate within reach for long stretches. Shubman Gill chipped in with 77, and Virat Kohli made a fluent 74 to keep hopes alive.

The target proved a step too far. England's bowlers held their nerve through the middle overs. Wickets at key moments slowed the momentum each time India threatened. The tourists ran out of partnerships before the total came within range.

How the series unfolded

The three-match series swung throughout. India took the opener at Birmingham on 14 July. They won by six wickets with 28 balls to spare, with Axar Patel starring on the day. England hit back in Cardiff on 16 July, winning the second match by four wickets.

Joe Root anchored that Cardiff chase with an unbeaten 99. His form ran through the whole series and earned him the Player of the Series award. Root finished with 249 runs across the three games, a return that underlined his enduring value in the fifty-over side.

What it means

The result caps a busy white-ball summer for both teams. England had already won the preceding Twenty20 series comfortably. Adding the one-day silverware gave the home side a strong platform heading into the next cycle. Confidence in the format looked restored after mixed recent years.

India will take heart from Rohit's form and their fight at Lord's. The batting group produced big scores across the series. Sharper finishing in tight moments is the clear area to address. Both sides gained useful lessons before the crowded schedule ahead.

A summer to remember for England

England's white-ball group has come together well. The batting looked deep and fearless across the series. Openers set fast starts and the middle order finished with power. That balance produced imposing totals on flat pitches.

The bowlers played their part in the decider. They defended a big score under real pressure. Holding India to 360 for 7 at Lord's took nerve. Timely wickets kept the chase just out of reach.

India's search for answers

India will reflect on fine margins. Their top order piled up runs throughout the tour. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill were often superb. Yet the side kept falling short in the tightest phases of play.

Finishing games will be the focus going forward. The talent in the batting group is obvious. Converting strong positions into wins is the missing piece. The Lord's defeat offered a clear lesson for the road ahead.

Root's enduring class

Joe Root remained the series' defining figure. He scored 249 runs across the three matches. His unbeaten 99 in Cardiff turned that game England's way. The Player of the Series award was a fitting reward.

Root has now anchored England for well over a decade. His appetite for runs shows no sign of fading. In a young batting order, his calm presence matters. He remains central to England's plans in every format.

The bigger picture

Series like this show why the rivalry draws crowds worldwide. The cricket was aggressive and high-scoring from start to finish. England's win over their long-time rivals carried real weight. Ending a drought that stretched back to 2018 made the achievement sweeter for the home dressing room.

Attention now turns to the next assignments for each team. The players scatter to franchise and international commitments. Yet the memory of a Lord's classic will linger. Duckett and Rohit produced the kind of duel that defines a summer of one-day cricket.

Sources

• ESPNcricinfo (3rd ODI live score)
• ESPNcricinfo (series page)
• ESPNcricinfo (2nd ODI scorecard)