England v India, 3rd ODI as it happened: Root’s century takes England to a convincing series win
Updates from the third and final ODI in Leeds.
First series defeat (bilateral ODIs) for India under Virat Kohli’s captaincy.
12:45 am: Right, then. Celebration time for England. A bit of a break before we resume for the five-match Test series starting August, 1. That should be a cracker! That’s it from us for now. Hope you enjoyed the coverage. *BAT DROP*
12:42 am:
Eoin Morgan:
“Outstanding performance. Tone was set early on by Wood and Willey. We took chances early when the opportunities arrived. I didn’t think the pitch was going to be a belter but it was going to be easy to bat once you got set. The players have been brilliant, the captain is only as good as the team. It’s satisfying that we went through a process and the results showed (against Kuldeep Yadav).”
12:39 am: Virat Kohli talks to Isa Guha
“We were 25-30 short. England were clinical in all three departments. We were just not good enough. Pitch was slow throughout the day, it was surprising. We haven’t seen pitches like here before. The two spinners suffocated us, England bowled well in partnerships. DK was going well. Changes didn’t come off, and when they don’t come off they look unnecessary. That’s how the game goes. We need to get our balance right in the remaining games leading up to the World Cup. These kind of losses tell us what we need to rectify. The Test squad is settled. We are looking forward to the challenge of a hard-fought series. It was a quality ball (Rashid’s), I have been playing him since U-19 days. It was one of those balls that you should just say “wow”, I was stunned by that.”
12:32 am: “Rooooooooooooot,” goes the crowd as he gets the player of the series for his back-to-back centuries.
“We set the tone with the ball and we were ruthless with the bat. Pitch on the slow side, but you could hit through. It was just about getting a partnership. Happy to stand up and deliver in the pressure game. India have played some fantastic Test cricket recently, and it should be a good series.”
12:30 am: Yes, man of the match is Adil Rashid. Good call. Says he stuck to his plans and credits Moeen Ali for his efforts from the other end. “Thought we exceptionally did as a team. Always nice to do well at the home ground”
12:28 am: Presentation ceremony underway... hope Adil Rashid gets the man of the match and not Joe Root, because it’s the bowlers who set up this win.
12:23 am:
“KL Rahul should bat No. 4, eyes closed for me. India need to give him a run of 15 games there. Kohli needs to back his players”: Sourav Ganguly
Some reactions to India’s defeat... a first series defeat (bilateral ODIs) under Kohli’s captaincy:
England 260/2, win by 8 wickets - Joe Root 100*, Eoin Morgan 88*: And Root gets to his century with a boundary off a full toss by Pandya. One final gift on a night of gifts from India to England.
ENGLAND WIN: AND JOE ROOOOOOOOOOT SCORES A CENTURY WITH THE WINNING RUNS!
After 44 overs, England 253/2 - England one shot away
To be fair to Thakur, he has bowled his heart out tonight. Good pace through, effort balls even when the result has been obvious. Except for the boundary balls early on, he has looked good for India. Can’t fault his effort. Finishes with 0/51 from 10 overs.
Root is on 94*...Could score a two and a four to get to his 100.
After 43 overs, England 250/2 - BHUVI DROPS A SITTER!
DROPPED! Bhuvneshwar floors a dolly at mid on. Pandya bowls a slow full toss to Morgan. The batsman fluffed the shot but the fielder does one better. Doubt Bhuvi has had a worse day on the field in his career.
After 42 overs, England 243/2
It’s remarkably sunny right now and things are looking bright for England. Reiterating their position as the best ODI side in the world. Root plays a fantastic straight drive for four off Thakur.
After 40 overs, England 236/2 - Root 84*, Morgan 84*
Root and Morgan going neck and neck with their scores – which is credit to how Morgan has accelerated in the second half of his innings. Bhuvi and Thakur concede 4 and 3 from their over. Everyone’s going through the motions.
The Test squad, meanwhile, is set to be announced tomorrow. Ashwin and Jadeja could be the only Indian winners after this performance, perhaps.
After 38 overs, England 228/2 - 150 partnership between Morgan and Root
Morgan sends Kuldeep off with a massive six! Short ball, dumped over long on for the first six of the innings. Kuldeep finishes wicket-less as well, 10-0-55-0.
After 37 overs, England 219/2 - DRINKS
Bhuvi comes back after Chahal’s eventful final over – he finished with 0/41. Bhuvi, who has had a forgettable game with the ball, comes back to the attack. Concedes six runs. So easy for England.
Kuldeep has one more over, and India’s spinners are likely to finish without a wicket.
After 35 overs, England 211/2 - CHAHAL SUMS UP INDIA’S EVENING!
Oh dear. An utterly forgettable evening for India in many ways, just hit a new low. Dhoni is confident that he has stumped Root and when he is confident you know its out. But guess what? Chahal has overstepped! Poor, poor cricket. And yes, Root’s foot was in the air. He was a goner. Instead he smacks the free hit for four. 14 runs from that over!
200 up for England after 34.1 overs: Chahal drops one short, going for the quicker one, Morgan pulls one over square leg for four. Before that England were just dealing in singles.
After 32 overs, England 188/2
Kuldeep comes back into the attack and four runs off it. Turn on offer, but it’s slow turn again. “The crowd are not getting entertained by the cricket, so they have decided to entertain themselves,” says Bhogle on air as it looks like they have found something to cheer about. It’s been that kind of a series really. Three one-sided games.
After 31 overs, England 184/2
Atherton on air now, says he got the impression from Kohli’s tone at the toss that made it sound like he was not taking this series decider too seriously. Meanwhile, Chahal comes back into the attack and concedes 3 singles.
After 30 overs, England 181/2
DROPPED! And India’s ordinary day in the field continues. Root gets a thick inside edge as tries to glance one to fine leg, Dhoni dives, rolls over but the ball is out of his glove. Looked like it might not have carried but it did and it was a miss. Truth be told, Dhoni’s keeping down the leg side for pacers has been suspect for a while.
After 29 overs, England 175/2
100 partnership between Root and Morgan, who are now England’s most prolific pair in ODIs, according to ESPNCricinfo. Another uneventful over from Pandya ticks by.
After 28 overs, England 172/2
50 up for Morgan! A boundary through third man off Thakur followed by a single through point. Captain Morgan, leading from the front. Root and him have now added 98* runs for the third wicket.
After 27 overs, England 165/2
Pandya comes back, England take 6 runs in the over without any trouble whatsoever. Walk in the park for England.
After 26 overs, England 159/2
In the 26th over, England have hit 25 boundaries. Another freebie, this time by Thakur, who goes short and wide, cut away with disdain by Captain Morgan who is now 10 short of his 50
After 25 overs, England 152/2 - FIFTY FOR JOE ROOOOOOOOT!
Kuldeep has been dealt with in some style by Root as he gets to his fifty with a cover drive for four – oozing class. Back-to-back 50-plus scores for England’s Test captain. And the ODI captain finishes the over with a thumping four down the ground. The Test squad is being announced tomorrow and they will have an eye on how harmless Kuldeep has been made to look today.
After 24 overs, England 143/2
5 runs from Thakur’s over, without breaking a sweat.
10:42 pm: An insight into the areas Kuldeep has bowled today as Shardul Thakur comes back into the attack.
After 23 overs, England 138/2
Another tight over by Chahal, concedes just 3. Given how good Rashid was, England have ensured Chahal doesn’t enjoy the same returns. His 7 overs have gone for 21, but crucially for England, no wickets to his name.
Raina’s little spell is over as Kuldeep comes back. Goes around the wicket to Root, who sweeps one through fine leg for a four and moves on to 47. Once again, Kuldeep concedes a boundary. He’s been expensive : 5-0-27-0 so far.
After 21 overs, England 131/2
Morgan takes on Raina, he doesn’t want India’s part-time spinner to dictate terms and that puts Kohli under more pressure. Back-to-back boundaries for the England captain. First, a superb inside-out cover drive. Second, an uppish cover drive that is just past the fielder at cover.
50 partnership between Root and Morgan...
After 20 overs, England 121/2
Chahal has been India’s best bowler by some distance. Good, tight bowling. Just 2 runs from that over. But England still looking comfortable.
DRINKS: England 119/2 after 19 overs
Raina continues the trend of gifting a freebie to the England batsmen. Morgan, who was under a little bit of pressure, gets a rank short ball off the last ball and he pulls it away for four. Two runs from the first five balls and then it becomes a 6-run over. Kohli has had no control during this run-chase.
After 18 overs, England 113/2
While Root continues to bat positively, Morgan is taking it slow. There’s no scoreboard pressure, so his 31-ball 14 (so far) is not an issue. Just one run from Chahal in that over and India need more of those (and a few wickets in a hurry)
Raina comes on to bowl to replace an off-colour Kuldeep....
After 17 overs, England 112/2
Chahal bowls an over without conceding a boundary but England still manage to get four runs. The turn is slow, Morgan and Root are looking at ease. Root, especially, looks comfortable against Kuldeep. Four from his over as well, as he finishes with a full toss that is swept for a couple by Root. Nothing happening for India at the moment, the game is drifting away from Kohli and Co.
After 15 overs, England 103/2 - 100 comes up in quick time for England
Boundaries keep coming for England. Chahal with a full toss that is swept through midwicket by Root. Kuldeep then strays in line and Root paddles it for another four. And to make matters worse, the fielding continues to remain pedestrian. Kohli yells “ball toh pakad bhai” (at least hold on to the ball) as Kuldeep fails to gather a throw and England steal two more runs.
After 13 overs, England 91/2
Good over from Chahal, five dot balls followed by a single off the last ball. There was also a loud LBW appeal in that over, but India don’t review.
Another over, another boundary next up. And more ordinary fielding. This time Rohit Sharma. Kuldeep is struggling a bit with his line and length.
After 11 overs, England 84/2
Kuldeep comes on and for a change, doesn’t get a wicket in the first over. And he continues the trend of conceding a four, another half tracker. Been way too many of those by India.
After 10 overs, England 78/2 - end of powerplay
Good start for Chahal as he bowls a couple of rippers to Captain Morgan... and then follows that up with a rank short ball. Morgan cuts it for four. India have bowled too many boundary balls early on. Follows that up with a couple of dot balls. There is turn on offer, that’s for sure.
WICKET! A BIT OF MSD MAGIC! James Vince is run out... England 74/2
Oh, England have gifted India a wicket here. Root calls for a quick single after tapping the ball to the square leg. The throw is not the greatest, but Dhoni dives to gather the ball at a yorker length, if you will, and breaks the stumps with Vince just short. Any other keeper, Vince would have made it. But Dhoni is just too quick....
Chahal comes on in the last over of the powerplay...
After 9 overs, England 74/1
The sun is out now and things are looking bright for England. Another gift from an Indian bowler, as Shardul bowls a rank short ball, pulled away by Root for four. Root and Vince rotate the strike after that.
After 8 overs 67/1 - more boundaries!
Vince helps himself to a couple more boundaries, as Bhuvi continues to bowl short of length. The ball is sitting up nicely, and Vince hits one through cover and one through square leg. This is so very un-Bhuvi like.
After 7 overs, England 57/1 - 50 up in no time
Root gets going with a boundary as well. All class, this one. A back-foot punch through the cover region for four. Dhoni doesn’t cover himself in glory off the next ball as he concedes four leg-byes... the ball bounced through him. Thakur’s over finishes with a wild swing by Root but fails to connect with a short, wide ball.
After 6 overs, England 49/1
Not been Bhuvi’s day so far with the ball. Vince gets a boundary with an inside edge and England keep up the boundary-scoring. There was also an almighty mix-up in that over between Vince and Root – the former wanted a single after tapping the ball to mid-off but Root was ball-watching. The throw, however, is very weak and Vince makes it back on time.
After 5 overs, England 43/1
What a start to this run-chase, eh? Shardul Thakur gets a wicket off his first over. And this brings India right back into the game. The over started with a four for Vince and it looked like England were going to snuff the life out of India’s defence early on. This gives them life.
Change of ends for Bhuvi now...
WICKET! BAIRSTOW’S BLISTERING INNINGS IS OVER
What a big wicket for India and Shardul Thakur... it looked like Bairstow was going to end India’s hopes very quickly but he plays one shot too many! Good length ball on the pads, looked like it stuck on the pitch a bit. Bairstow flicks it uppishly, Raina takes an easy catch at short midwicket.
After 4 overs, England - BAIRSTOW ON FIRE!
Bairstow is in some form! Pandya bowls a perfectly good ball – good length on the middle stump – flicked past mid-on for four. Pandya then goes full, it’s slapped through cover for another four. Smartly takes a single off the next ball. Has raced to 26 off 11 balls. Gets the strike back off the last ball and it’s another boundary! Pulled a short ball to fine leg. Make it 30 off 12 balls now for Jonny B. What a start for England!
After 3 overs, England 23/0 - FOUR BOUNDARIES IN THE OVER
This time a gift from Bhuvi to Bairstow – another short and wide ball, Jonny B cuts it for four. Next ball is short again , on the pads and this time its sent through midwicket. Rusty start from Bhuvi. And off the fifth ball, which is overpitched, Bairstow drives it through the line past mid-off. And finishes the over with a square drive. That was just a great cricketing shot, no blame attached to Bhuvi.
England off to a flier...
After 2 overs, England 7/0
Starts off well, does Hardik. Full and straight to Vince for four dot balls. A risky single off the fifth gets Vince off strike. Bairstow keeps strike with another quick single off the last ball. Good over by the young all-rounder.
Interesting, Hardik Pandya will take the new ball from the other end.
After 1 over, England 5/0
Bhuvi starts off with a loosener – short and wide, sent crashing through the covers by Vince. A gift from Bhuvi, that. Gets his length right after that, as Kohli takes out the second slip early. And by the last ball, there is no slip at all. Interesting. No appreciable swing on offer in that over.
09:12 pm: The players are out in the middle. The lights have been on for a while now and it looks like it’s gone darker since. The cloud cover could help Bhuvi especially. Remains to be seen how the bowlers do. If England get off to a good start, India will be under pressure. James Vince opens the batting with Jonny Bairstow...
09:02 pm: The England innings should be up and running soon. In the meantime, here’s some football reading for you.
INNINGS BREAK: India stumble to 256/8 after looking good for a big score at the 30-over mark. From 156/3, the finish with 256/8 – 100 runs in the last 20 overs. That’s not the best effort even on a dry pitch. But on a turning pitch, India have given themselves a chance.
END OF INDIA’S INNINGS - 256/8 after 50 overs (Bhuvi 21, Shardul 22*)
Three full balls to start the final over with by Willey, just three singles. Bhuvi tries another scoop of the fourth, it’s another single. Thakur gets the crowd to whistle as he changes his thigh guard. Gets a single off the fifth ball. Bhuvi is out of the last ball, as he finds Bairstow in the deep off a low full toss.
Useful partnership at the end though...
After 49 overs, India 251/7 - AN EXPENSIVE OVER BY BEN STOKES! 17 runs from it!
48.1: SIX! Picks up a short of good length ball, and Shardul sends it soaring over midwicket for the FIRST SIX IN TWO MATCHES FOR INDIA.
48.2: Another six? No, saved! Full ball, wristy flick over long on by Shardul and Plunkett does brilliantly at the boundary to save four runs – a standing ovation from the crowd. Dives over the boundary, catches the ball and throws it back in. Brilliant. Just two runs.
48.3: Bouncer. Shardul smiles at Stokes.
48.4: Yorker, nudged to square leg and the two scamper for two runs! Finally, good running.
48.5: SIX! Bouncer gone wrong, pulled over fine leg for six. Some hitting by Shardul here!
48.6: Another heave, but just a single this time.
After 48 overs, India 234/7
Bhuvi finally decides to do something out of the ordinary, scoops a full ball outside off stump by Willey, over fine leg for four. That is followed by a couple. Once again later in the over, confusion between the two batters over running between the wickets. Thakur then throws his bat at it off the last ball, it’s mishit though, fortunately for him. Just a single.
Stokes to continue from the other end...
After 47 overs, India 224/7
Oh dear, this is quite poor from India. Poor calling between the wickets, first of all. Poor game sense from both Bhuvi and Shardul. And Bhuvi keeps missing the ball. Just 2 runs from that Wood over, one of them a leg bye.
After 46 overs, India 222/7
Thakur is almost run out early on but direct hit is not forthcoming. Way, way short. But great over from Willey, he’s done the damage.
WICKET! MS Dhoni goes back for a 66-ball 42.
Not quite as laboured as the innings at Lord’s but this is not an innings that’s going to keep his critics too happy. In the 46th over, when you thought he would make the most of getting his eye in, he is out caught behind. Willey back into the attack and the angle bothers Dhoni, who edges it to Buttler for a simple catch.
After 45 overs, India 217/6
Bhuvi has done well to not throw his wicket away but his 8 off 21 balls has slowed down India considerably. Both batsmen still looking for singles, no sign of a big shot yet. With 5 overs to go, that might be about to change.
After 44 overs, India 212/6
Another boundary for MSD, who uses Stokes pace well and guides a short ball behind square on the leg side. Anything short, Dhoni has been able to deal with. It’s the good length, that cramps him from, that he has struggled with. Gets a single off the last ball to keep strike.
After 43 overs, India 208-6
Dhoni cannot find the gaps to rotate the strike as he plays out more dot balls. Wood, though, changes his length to bowl a short one and Dhoni latches on to it – pulls to the fence for a four. Much needed. Finishes the over with a couple. Better from MSD, in that over.
After 42 overs, India 201/6
200 comes up for India in the 42nd over as Bhuvi guides one to third man after a couple of dot balls. Dhoni back on strike, and tries to force the issue by going down the track to Stokes, but is cramped for room. Tries to steal a single off the last ball, but he cannot. Rotating the strike has not been easy for Dhoni, once again.
Just two from the over by Stokes, one of them a wide.
After 41 overs, India 199/6
Wood has been one of England’s standout performers today. Started well in the first half-hour. Has returned for his second spell with the same fervour. Just three runs from that over. Dhoni batting on 28 off 50 balls.
After 40 overs, India 196/6
At the 30-over mark, India were 156/3 and from there it’s been a struggle. Kohli fell right at the beginning of the 31st over and India have added 40 runs for three wickets since then.
And with this the last recognised pair, (no offence to Shardul Thakur) looks like 250 is an uphill task right now.
After 39 overs, India 195/6
Bhuvi walks out to bat – last match, it would have been Umesh Yadav. The tail is not *that* long for India today. But once again the middle order has been a let down. Dhoni batting on 27 off 47 balls and not helping his case once again. He needs to not only bat deep, but make up for the strike rate as well which is more difficult without Pandya at the crease.
WICKET! PANDYA GONE! Mark Wood strikes...
Oh what a beauty from Wood! Remember those peaches he bowled to Rohit Sharma in the first ball? This is again like those – delivered from wide of the crease, the ball straightens and takes the outside edge. Pandya gone for a 21-ball 21.
After 38 overs, India 192/5
England’s spinners once again keep India in check in the middle overs. There’s plenty of turn in this Headingley track. But good news for India, it’s only pace from now on. Dhoni and Pandya might enjoy the ball coming on to the bat.
Rashid 10-0-49-3
Moeen 10-0-47-0
After 37 overs, India 190/5 - END OF ADIL RASHID’S SPELL
Adil Rashid’s wonderful spell comes to an end and he almost adds a fourth wicket to his name. Flights one up, tempts Pandya to go for the big shot. But to the Indian’s cricket, he’s timed this lofted off drive perfectly – beats the fielder at long off, who put in a late dive. Would have been some catch had he taken that.
After 36 overs, India 181/5
Looks like India have realised holding on to the wickets is more important right now, as they see out Ali and Rashid - who have now bowled 9 overs each. Ali still looking for his first wicket, Rashid has three to his name. Eight singles in the last two overs.
DRINKS: India 173/5 after 34 overs
A streaky boundary for Pandya (who’s looked a bit tentative since walking in) off Adil Rashid. Five runs from the next over by Ali. As the commentators point out, there is definite help for the spinners here and should only increase after the break. India would do well to not collapse now and get to a defendable total. 270-280 here would be quite handy.
After 32 overs, India 162/5 - DHONI SURVIVES
Dhoni given out LBW but DRS comes to his rescue. He reviews it after Oxenford raises his finger. The ball is turning and going over the stumps. Turn and bounce saves India for once. Finishes the over with a four through midoff, and prevents a maiden. India under the pump from the spinners here.
After 31 overs, India 158/5
Adil Rashid has turned this around for England. Poor cricket by Raina though.
WICKET! RASHID HAS TWO WICKETS IN THE OVER! Suresh Raina gone...
Great captaincy by Morgan, has a leg slip in place for Raina against Rashid and Raina just tamely hits it to the man waiting there. Root takes the catch and Rashid is delighted.
India in deep trouble now...
WICKET! WHAT A BEAUT BY ADIL RASHID! VIRAT KOHLI IS STUNNED!
Adil Rashid won’t bowl many better deliveries than that in his career. This pitches on the leg stump, Kohli is on the backfoot, trying to work this through midwicket, but the ball turns sharply and uproots the off stump! Kohli was left stunned, he couldn’t quite believe how sharply that turned. He was not even close to getting his bat to that one.
India in a bit of bother here, now. Kohli falls for a well-made 71 off 72 balls.
After 30 overs, India 156/3 - 150 up for India!
Just as we were talking about a solid start by Dhoni, he faces four dot balls on the trot from Rashid. That has been the problem area for him early on – dot balls at the beginning of the innings have bothered him. Keeps the strike though and shows he has another gear in the next over. Comes down the track to Ali off the first ball, mistimes it for a couple. Next ball, is swept powerfully for four. Kohli, then, cuts through cover for another four. 10 runs from Moeen Ali’s over!
Double the score from the 30-over mark? India would be mighty pleased if they can manage that.
After 28 overs, India 144/3
The spinners are bowling in tandem. It was at this stage in the second ODI that India’s batsmen had lost way. Dhoni, himself, was criticised for his effort. He’s off to a solid start today though, using his feet much better so far. Ali, though, has been difficult to get away with his tight line. Jadeja-esque metronomic bowling right now. A 9-run over by Rashid between those two tight Ali overs – Kohli using his wrists well and gets a flick away for four.
After 25 overs, India 128/3
Another day, another batsman at No 4 for India, another low score. Dinesh Karthik, as he has done so often in his start-stop India career, throws away a good start. Meanwhile, Dhoni gets a promotion tonight. After all the criticism he received the other night at Lord’s, this is going to be interesting.
WICKET! Dinesh Karthik’s impressive stay at the crease is short-lived!
Full length ball, turning a tad bit away, DK goes for the cover drive and drags the ball on to the stumps. Chance, wasted.
After 24 overs, India 124/2 - FIFTY FOR VIRAT KOHLI!
And what a shot to get there. A short ball outside off stump by Plunkett, Kohli just guides it past point for four. Made that look so easy. Started that over with a rubbish shot, actually. Dancing down the track and going for an expansive drive and losing his grip on the bat. Steadies himself after that.
After 23 overs, India 113/2
Rashid is getting good turn on this pitch when he slows it up – but that’s the thing, it’s slow turn. Not quite threatening. But he still keeps it tight. Another three-run over as DK and Kohli exchange a few looks over their running between the wickets.
After 22 overs, India 110/2
After a quiet over by Rashid – just three singles – it’s now Kohli’s turn to target Plunkett. Plays a wonderful late cut for four, directing the ball past Buttler at the last moment. The Indian captain has moved on to 46 off 50 balls.
After 20 overs, India 100/2
Spin from both ends for DK is not the greatest idea, feels Ganguly, and DK shows why with a cover drive for four. Lovely footwork to get to the pitch of the ball. Rashid can only admire. Plunkett comes back in the next over and does well as DK and Kohli nudge the ball into the gaps for a couple of singles.
100 up for India in the 20th over. Good recovery this, all said and done, from 32/1 after 10. 68 runs in the last 10 overs.
After 18 overs, India 89/2
Dhawan has been involved in quite a few mix-ups on this tour and even just today. This was on the cards. In good news, however, GAnguly just said “Shikhar Dhawan” on air and not “Shekhar Dhawan”. Momentous day for Indian cricket!
Meanwhile, DK walks into bat at No 4 – what a massive opportunity for him. Starts with a late cut for four. Delicately done.
WICKET! Shikhar Dhawan is run out on 44 (49)
Oh dear, just when you thought Dhawan will make his good touch count and get a big score, he is run out! Kohli taps the ball to Stokes at square leg. Dhawan has backed up too much (like he tends to) and it looked like his bat got stuck a bit in the turf as well. Direct hit and he is short of the crease! An unnecessary way to get dismissed and break the partnership!
After 17 overs, India 82/1 - partnership is now worth 69 runs
KOHLI GETS A LIFE. Another tight over by Moeen Ali. The Indian captain tries to force the issue by going for a cover drive but the outside edge is dropped by Buttler – went to him quickly but should have taken that. In the next over, Kohli shows he is much more comfortable playing the quicks – gets two boundaries off Stokes. A majestic pull shot off the front foot followed by a ramp shot.
After 15 overs, India 67/1
Stokes into the attack – Dhawan has ensured Plunkett will have to be withdrawn. But Dhawan still manages to get a boundary in that over, his signature uppish flick over midwicket.
After 14 overs, India 60/1
5 singles in that over by Moeen Ali but Dhawan just about survives – a leading edge is just wide off Moeen Ali.
After 13 overs, India 55/1 - BIG OVER FOR INDIA
DHAWAN IS IN THE MOOD NOW! 50 up for India.... and Dhawan has decided to target Plunkett. Three boundaries in that over. First, a full ball is flicked through midwicket. A good length ball is then driven through cover with the angle. Plunkett goes around the wicket then and is met with a similar response. Driven brilliantly again for four.
Spin for the fist time. Ali into the attack.
After 12 overs, India 40/1
Dhawan’s drop-and-run attempts have not born fruit today at all. Another over by Willey, another tight one. Four dot balls. In the first 12 overs, nearly 50 dot balls have been bowled.
After 11 overs, India 38/1
Plunkett comes on as first change. Boundary for Dhawan to break the shackles, a little bit. A lovely cover drive that is greeted with loud cheers from the fans. Been tough going for Dhawan since he started with those two boundaries early on in one over.
Willey, interestingly, continues from the other end.
After 10 overs, India 32/1
Heart-in-the-mouth moment for Kohli at the start of the over. Full ball on the pads, Kohli is once again early into the shot and the flick, which he usually sends racing through the midwicket, is chipped over mid on – just about clears the fielder for four. Dhawan then is early into the cover drive as well, hits it uppishly and stopped well by Billings. Is the pitch a bit sticky?
What a powerplay for England though!
By the way, a milestone for Kohli...
After 9 overs, India 25/1
Another tight over by Wood. This time he goes around the wicket to Dhawan as he has struggled a tad bit to get a consistent length to the left hander, compared to the right handers. Just two from that over. This Indian innings is going nowhere at the moment.
After 8 overs, India 23/1
Dhawan hits a rasping cover drive, straight at the fielder. Kohli, then, walks forward to counter the angle and movement but ends up reaching out to play a cover drive. Beaten comfortably. Same delivery next up, lets it go. A mix up off the last ball as Dhawan is half way down the pitch with Kohli not knowing where the ball is. The left-hander is left scrambling to reach back, puts in a dive to save himself.
After 7 overs, 22/1
Wood continues to keep a tight line and length but started that over with a surprise bouncer to Kohli that he fended off awkwardly. A couple of singles and a two off the last ball by Kohli
After 6 overs, India 18/1
Virat Kohli walks in with India in a spot of bother, gets a boundary off the first ball – but that was a bit uppish. Square drives a wide ball and it just evades the fielder at point. Plays a text book off drive off the next ball, but straight to mid off.
WICKET! Rohit Sharma gone for 2 off 18 balls: The pressure pays off for England. Wood stifled Rohit, Willey gets the reward. This is a full ball angled away naturally, Rohit looks to chip it over the square leg fence, ends up finding the solitary fielder at deep square leg with great precision. Bit of a lazy chip that one, and an odd choice of shot given the field placement.
After 5 overs, India 12/0
That’s 11 dot balls in a row now. Wood bowls his second maiden of the day and it’s Rohit Sharma again. Very cautious approach by Rohit, especially. The conditions are a bit overcast. And though the ball didn’t move as much as it did in the previous over, it was excellent line and length by Wood.
After 4 overs, India 12/0
Willey’s turn to beat an Indian opener, this time Dhawan. Goes fuller in length than he did last over and gets appreciable movement. Dhawan beaten by a fair distance there. Willey follows that up with four more dot balls. Just the one single for Rohit Sharma to start that over, then. Watchful start by India.
After 3 overs, India 11/0
Dhawan, like has done a fair few times on this tour, gets going with an exquisite cover drive. Good length ball by Wood, driven on the up by Dhawan with disdain. Wood then goes for a bouncer but it’s a rank short ball, pulled to fine leg for another four. Dhawan, once again, looks in good touch.
After 2 overs, India 3/0
Dhawan gets India off the mark, with David Willey gifting him an overthrow. Rohit continues to take his time, playing out a couple of dot balls. Gets off the mark off the 9th ball he faces.
After 1 over, India 0/0
What a first over by Wood. Starts off with an away swinger that Rohit goes chasing. Should have been wide. Wood then follows that up with couple of terrific deliveries - going wide of the crease and getting the ball to straighten late. Beaten thrice, is Rohit Sharma! Terrific stuff early on by Wood.
05:00 pm: Alright, we are all set. Mark Wood starts off... Rohit and Dhawan in the middle.
04:55 pm: Plenty of chatter, as always, about Kohli’s team selection. That man loves to keep us guessing, doesn’t he? Wait, till the Tests begin.
04:45 pm: The middle order clearly continues to be a problem area for India... Dinesh Karthik in for KL Rahul is the big call though. Do you agree? A look at the playing XIs... Vince comes in for Roy.
India XI: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Dinesh Karthik, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal
England XI: Jonny Bairstow, James Vince, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan(c), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler(w), Moeen Ali, David Willey, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood
04:36 pm: CHANGES, CHANGES, CHANGES.
Kohli says he would have batted first anyway, expects it to turn in the second half. Bhuvi, Shardul replace Umesh, Sid Kaul... to give game time for the former. Rahul misses out, Dinesh Karthik comes in. Tactical move, says Kohli.
04:31 pm: TOSS TIME. Kohli calls heads, it’s a tail. England will bowl first.
04:30 pm: Jason Roy, the man in form, was supposed to have a late fitness test but looks like England will be without his services here...
04:28 pm: Mark Wood spoke about the Kuldeep Yadav test...
“I think the main thing is he keeps getting wickets in his first over. So I think that’s the key going into this game. If he gets a wicket in early overs his confidence is up. So if we can try to nullify that wicket-taking option that he’s got straight away, then hopefully we can shift the momentum against him to us,”
04:22 pm: Looks like Bhuvi is all set for his comeback... will be a boost for India, for sure. The old foe, death bowling, came back to haunt them in the second ODI.
04:15 pm: A look at the pitch early on... dry pitch, it looks like.
04:10 pm: Bhuvi, who has been missing since the second T20I, did bowl in the nets at Lord’s before the second ODI and is on the path to recovery. But it remains to be seen if he will be included in the side for the decider ahead of Kaul or Umesh Yadav.
The 27-year-old’s continued absence will mean that India have a long tail, putting more responsibility on the top and middle order.
04:05 pm: India haven’t lost a bilateral contest to England since 2011. Since a 0-3 loss seven years ago, India have enjoyed the upper-hand, winning 10 out of 17 matches.
Considering England’s ascendancy in white-ball cricket since 2015, the equation has balanced out over the last two encounters. India won the closely-fought home series 2-1 in January 2017, and now the current contest will finish with the same score-line, either way.
04:02 pm: The T20I series saw India win the first and third matches. Can they repeat that feat in ODIs? Smarting from their 86-run loss at the Lord’s after winning the first game in Nottingham by eight wickets, India have their task cut out. Victory in London confirmed England’s spot as the no 1 ODI side in the ICC Rankings. A win for India at Headlingley will only help close the gap.
04:00 pm: Hello all and welcome to The Field’s live blog of the third and final ODI between India and England. The first two ODIs were one-sided, with India thrashing England at Trent Bridge and the hosts returning the favour at Lord’s. At Headingley, Leeds will we see a closely fought decider? Let’s find out.