The stage was set for a grand finale. With the series locked at 1-1, the third ODI at Lord’s was a winner-takes-all contest. India, however, suffered a massive blow before the match even began, with Jasprit Bumrah ruled out due to a knee injury sustained during the second ODI in Cardiff.[reference:8][reference:9] Washington Sundar was also sidelined with a hamstring issue.[reference:10]

England captain Harry Brook won the toss and elected to bat first on a pristine Lord’s surface.[reference:11] India’s decision to field four quicks and just one frontline spinner in Axar Patel raised eyebrows, with the management believing spinners would not be effective during the middle overs.[reference:12] That assessment would prove costly.

The match also held emotional significance, coming just days after the passing of Sir Garfield Sobers, with players paying tribute to the legendary all-rounder.[reference:13]

England’s innings was a batting masterclass from start to finish. Openers Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell added a record 192 runs for the first wicket — the highest partnership for any wicket against India.[reference:14][reference:15]

Ben Duckett was the star of the show. He scored a magnificent 141 off 135 balls, his fourth ODI century, and in doing so, broke Viv Richards’ 47-year-old record for the highest individual ODI score at Lord’s.[reference:16] The previous record of 138* was set by Richards in the 1979 World Cup final.[reference:17] Duckett reached his hundred in 108 deliveries before accelerating towards the end of his innings.[reference:18]

Jacob Bethell played the perfect supporting role, scoring a fluent 91 off 93 balls, falling agonisingly short of his second ODI century.[reference:19][reference:20] The left-hander’s grace and timing were on full display, with 11 fours and two sixes, including a towering six off Axar Patel that landed in the second tier of the pavilion.[reference:21]

After the opening stand was broken, Joe Root continued his purple patch with an unbeaten 74 off just 48 balls — his sixth consecutive ODI fifty.[reference:22][reference:23] Jos Buttler then provided the finishing flourish, smashing 41* off just 13 deliveries — his highest score in eight innings.[reference:24][reference:25]

England’s total of 387/3 is now the highest List A total at Lord’s, surpassing the previous record of 334/4 set by England against India in the 1975 World Cup final.[reference:26] It is also the third-highest ODI total ever scored against India, behind only South Africa’s 438/4 (2015) and Sri Lanka’s 411/8 (2009).[reference:27]

Chasing a daunting 388, India needed a strong start — and they got one. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill added 147 runs for the first wicket, laying the perfect platform.[reference:32][reference:33]

Rohit Sharma produced an innings for the ages. He scored a magnificent 138 off 110 balls, with 17 fours and five sixes.[reference:34][reference:35] In doing so, he became the first Indian to score an ODI century at Lord’s.[reference:36] He also became the first overseas player to score 1,500 ODI runs in England, surpassing the previous record.[reference:37][reference:38] Rohit reached his century in just 84 balls.[reference:39][reference:40]

Shubman Gill played a fluent supporting role, scoring 77 off 84 balls with 10 fours and a six, before being dismissed by Adil Rashid.[reference:41][reference:42]

Virat Kohli then joined Rohit at the crease, and the duo added 113 runs for the second wicket.[reference:43] Kohli scored a well-made 74 off 60 balls, keeping India in the hunt.[reference:44][reference:45] The pair also achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first Indian pair to feature together in 400 international matches.[reference:46]

However, England’s bowlers fought back in the death overs. Sam Curran delivered a decisive spell, dismissing Kohli, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, and Axar Patel.[reference:47] Jacob Bethell removed the dangerous Rohit Sharma, trapping him lbw.[reference:48] India finished on 360/7, falling 27 runs short of the target.[reference:49]