Rishabh Pant played a brilliant knock to ensure India’s victory by 5 wickets against England in the third and final ODI in the three-match ODI series at the Emirates Old Trafford on Sunday, July 15.
Rishabh Pant played a brilliant knock
India had won the toss and elected to bowl in the game. The star of the first ODI, Jasprit Bumrah, who showcased career-best figures was ruled out of the last game due to back spasm and his fate remained same.
England managed to tally a total of 259 runs before getting bundled at 45.5 overs. Speedster Mohammed Siraj had struck twice in the same over to give India a brief moment of dominance early on in the match. The English duo of Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy had dictated terms. Siraj had dismissed Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root in the same over to put England on the backfoot.
The Indian all rounder Hardik Pandya put India in control of the proceedings, taking two wickets in an over to put England seven wickets down. Hardik had dismissed England captain Jos Buttler, who scored 60 runs and Liam Livingstone in the 37th over before the hosts crossed the 200-run mark. Ravindra Jadeja broke the all-important partnership between Buttler and Moeen Ali, dismissing the latter on 34.
Hardik Pandya’s double-strike had given India an early advantage in the series decider. Pandya finished with four wickets while Chahal returned with three. Siraj managed to tally a couple while, Jadeja had one dismissal to his name.
Chasing the target, India were wobbling at 72 for four after Reece Topley had taken the game to India’s top-order. Topley dismissed India’s top three batters, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli before Craig Overton landed another blow. India’s chances looked narrow after the removal of Suryakumar Yadav.
However, Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya blasted half centuries. Their partnership had crossed the 100-run mark. Rishabh Pant finished the innings with 125* while Pandya notched up a superb 55-ball 71 runs to help India get the work done and clinch the series 2-1.
