3rd ODI: Hardik, Pant help India hammer England by 5 wickets, win series 2-1

Jul 18, 2022

3rd ODI: Hardik, Pant help India hammer England by 5 wickets, win series 2-1 Image

In the third and final ODI, India defeated England by five wickets to win the three-match series 2-1 at Old Trafford thanks in large part to Hardik Pandya's outstanding all-around performance and Rishabh Pant's outstanding 50-over debut century. 

India bowled out England for 259 in 45.5 overs thanks in large part to the outstanding bowling performances of leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal (3/60) and all-rounder Hardik Pandya (4/24).

England's skipper Jos Buttler, who was asked to bat first by India's captain Rohit Sharma, played a crucial knock (60 off 80) for England. For the hosts, Jason Roy (41), Moeen Ali (34), and Craig Overton (32) were the other key batsmen in addition to Buttler. The other wicket-takers for India, in addition to Pandya and Chahal, were Mohammed Siraj (2/66) and Ravindra Jadeja (1/21). 

India was in serious difficulty at 72-4 in 16.2 overs while attempting to chase a difficult mark after losing the wickets of Shikhar Dhawan (1), Rohit Sharma (17), Virat Kohli (17), and Suryakumar Yadav (16).

However, Hardik and Pant batted well, regularly hit boundaries, and put together a 133-run partnership to win the game. When India required 55 runs, Pandya (71 off 55) was out in the 36th over of the game. 

But Pant stepped up his aggression even further, going on to record his first ODI century. Along with Ravindra Jadeja (7 not out off 15), he was still alive and well (125 off 113) as India smashed off a five-wicket victory in 42.1 overs. 

The most productive bowler for England was Reece Topley (3/35) while Brydon Carse (1/45) and Craig Overton (1/54) both contributed one wicket.

Brief scores: England 259 all out in 45.5 overs (Jos Buttler 60, Jason Roy 41; Hardik Pandya 4/24, Yuzvendra Chahal 3/60) lost to India 261-5 in 42.1 Overs (Rishabh Pant 125 not out, Hardik Pandya 71; Reece Topley 3/35) by five wickets