The losing skipper said, “It went in similar fashion to the whole tour (talking about the batting). We were outplayed by a fantastic team. Our approach (with bat) is a right one, just that we haven’t executed well. They put a great score on the board. Shubman played a great innings. We got off to a great start again but familiar story again for us. Need to find a way to bat longer. We were up against a really good side that keeps challenging.”

“Definitely. I was feeling good. I think this was one of the better knocks. The pitch was a bit tricky at the start so it’s satisfying. There was a bit for the fast bowlers. It was seaming, so the chat was to rotate strike and not lose wickets in powerplay, build on the momentum and take it from there. You are just reacting to what is coming to you without thinking too much,” Shubman Gill said after receiving Player of the Match and the Series award.

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma in post match presentation said, “Very very pleasing (with the way the series went). We knew there will be challenges that we could face. I mean there is nothing I could have done about that (the ball that got rid of him today). Credit to the bowler and the bowler is there to get you out and you are there as a batter to challenge that. Just nicked the ball, second ball I was facing and couldn’t have done anything about that. I don’t see there was anything wrong we did this series. Obviously there are certain things we are looking at (to improve) and I am not going to stand here and explain those. It is our job as well to keep some consistency within the squad and the communication is clear. Obviously any champion team wants to get better every game and move forward from there. Very happy with the score (at the break). There is a bit of freedom in the squad to go out there and play the way you want. The World Cup was a perfect example of that and we want to continue to do that. There will be times it will not fall in place but that’s okay.”

Atkinson starts with two back-to-back boundaries off Hardik Pandya. First, he blazes a powerful drive through the covers, displaying clean lines and excellent timing. Then, he cuts another ball expertly through the same region, with Iyer sliding around, but his knee touches the rope. To cap off the over, Atkinson launches a full delivery for a SIX, sending it high over the boundary.

Hardik Pandya picks up another wicket as Mark Wood is caught by Shreyas Iyer at sweeper cover. Wood, trying to rock back for another aggressive drive through the covers, ends up finding the fielder, departing for 9 off 7 balls with 2 fours.

Mark Wood and Gus Atkinson’s quick runs give England a glimmer of hope, but the required run rate continues to rise.

31.1
Sundar to Atkinson, FOUR runs
Atkinson nails a slog-sweep in front of square, connecting cleanly and sending the ball crunching through midwicket for another boundary.

31.2
Sundar to Atkinson, FOUR runs
An edge from Atkinson beats the slip! On the back foot and unsure of the angles, he hard-hands it, and though Rohit reacts late, the ball flies wide of his right hand to the boundary.

Wood plays a delightful cover drive, a shot of elegance rarely seen from him. Known more for his aggressive follow-throughs, this time it’s a controlled, high-elbowed push that races to the boundary, showcasing his class.

Hardik Pandya strikes again, this time dismissing Adil Rashid for a duck. The short delivery outside off caught Rashid off guard, as he pulled too early or the ball kept a bit low. He ended up edging it onto his stumps, further deepening England’s batting woes. With his departure, England now has only two wickets left to save the match.

Washington Sundar dismissed Liam Livingstone, who was stumped by wicketkeeper †Rahul for 9 runs off 23 balls. Livingstone attempted to reach for a wide delivery, but missed the ball, and Rahul did the rest behind the stumps. This wicket further dented England’s chase, leaving them in a tough position.

At the end of over 28, England sits at 168/6, with a current run rate of 6.00 and a required run rate of 8.59. They need 189 runs from the remaining 22 overs. Gus Atkinson is on 5 from 3 balls, having hit 1 four, while Liam Livingstone is at 8 from 17 balls, with 1 four to his name. Washington Sundar has bowled 3 overs for 27 runs, and Harshit Rana has taken 2 wickets for 27 runs in his 4 overs.

Harshit Rana gets another wicket as Harry Brook is bowled. Brook, attempting to defend a length ball close to off stump, plays it with the bat face angled down, but the ball edges his bat and rolls onto the stumps.

Livingstone pulls Harshit Rana for a boundary, confidently executing a front-foot pull shot through the vacant midwicket region after a short delivery that rises to chest height.

End of over 26, England are 156/5, with a required run rate of 8.37. Harry Brook (19 off 25 balls) and Liam Livingstone (1 off 9 balls) are at the crease. Kuldeep Yadav has bowled 7 overs, conceding 32 runs for 1 wicket, while Harshit Rana has taken 1 wicket in his 3 overs, giving away 22 runs. England need 201 more runs from 24 overs to win.

Harshit Rana makes an immediate impact, dismissing England captain Jos Buttler. A back-of-a-length delivery outside off sees Buttler attempt a forceful back-foot punch. However, his bottom hand takes over, causing the bat to angle awkwardly. The ball catches the inside edge and crashes into the stumps, leaving England five wickets down.

England finds itself under pressure at 143/4 after 23 overs, requiring 214 runs from 27 overs with the required run rate climbing to 7.92. Harry Brook is batting on 11 off 20 balls with one boundary, while skipper Jos Buttler is on 2 off 5 deliveries. Axar Patel has been economical with figures of 6-1-22-1, while Kuldeep Yadav has kept th

At the end of 22 overs, England stands at 139/4, with the required run rate climbing to 7.78. The Indian spinners continue to tighten their grip as Kuldeep Yadav (5-0-19-1) and Axar Patel (5-1-18-1) keep things in check. Jos Buttler is on 2 off 5 balls, while Harry Brook is batting cautiously at 7 off 14. England now needs 218 runs from 28 overs to chase down the target of 357.

Axar Patel strikes a crucial blow, dismissing Joe Root for 24 off 29 balls. Root, looking to push a single into the covers, misjudges the delivery, which was full and angling in from Patel’s wide release. The exaggerated angle does the trick as the ball catches the inside edge and crashes into the stumps. A massive breakthrough for India as England loses a key batter in the chase.

At the end of 20 overs, England stands at 133/3, requiring 224 runs from 30 overs at a required run rate of 7.46. The current run rate is 6.65, with Joe Root steady at 24 off 28 balls, including two boundaries, while Harry Brook is settling in with 3 runs off 8 balls. Kuldeep Yadav has been economical and effective, conceding just 16 runs in his 4 overs while picking up a crucial wicket. Axar Patel, on the other hand, has maintained tight control, giving away only 15 runs in his 4 overs, including a maiden.

Kuldeep Yadav strikes as Tom Banton edges one to KL Rahul! The beautifully flighted wrong’un lured Banton forward, turning away just enough to catch the outside edge. After a brief consultation with Joe Root, Banton opted for a review, but UltraEdge confirmed the faint nick. Rahul, despite a slight juggle, completed the catch, sending Banton back for 38 off 41 balls. Classic Kuldeep magic!

England have reached 123/2, scoring 8 runs in the over. The current required rate stands at 7.09, with 234 runs needed from 33 overs. Tom Banton is on 37 (38 balls, 4 fours, 2 sixes), while Joe Root has 18 (21 balls, 2 fours). Axar Patel has bowled 3 overs for 12 runs, and Kuldeep Yadav has taken 2 overs, conceding 9 runs.

Tom Banton played a spectacular shot off Axar Patel, reversing the sweep on a fuller delivery and sending the ball sailing over the backward point boundary for a six. The shot was perfectly executed, and though there was a risk of getting out LBW, Banton’s timing and placement made it a memorable strike.

England reaches 109/2 after 15 overs, with a run rate of 7.26, and needing 248 from 35 overs. Tom Banton (30 off 34) and Joe Root (11 off 13) continue their solid partnership. Hardik Pandya (3-0-18-0) and Kuldeep Yadav (1-0-3-0) remain key figures for India.

England reaches 102/2 after 14 overs, maintaining a run rate of 7.28, while requiring 255 from 36 overs. Tom Banton (25 off 31) and Joe Root (9 off 10) continue their steady partnership. Kuldeep Yadav (1-0-3-0) and Hardik Pandya (2-0-11-0) continue to apply pressure.

England reaches 99/2 after 13 overs, maintaining a run rate of 7.61 while needing 258 more from 37 overs. Tom Banton (24 off 29) and Joe Root (7 off 6) look to steady the innings. Axar Patel (2-1-4-0) and Hardik Pandya (2-0-11-0) keep things tight as Kuldeep Yadav joins the attack.

Tom Banton showcases his intent, making room and pulling Hardik Pandya’s short ball through midwicket for a well-timed four. A solid shot as England continues their chase with confidence!

Hardik Pandya comes into the attack and concedes 5 runs in his first over as England moves to 89/2 in 11 overs. Tom Banton (16 off 20, 2 fours, 1 six) and Joe Root (5 off 3, 1 four) continue to steady the innings. Axar Patel (1-1-0-0) remains economical with a maiden over to his name. With a current run rate of 8.09 and a required rate of 6.87, England still has a solid platform but will need to keep the momentum going.

A brilliant maiden over from Axar Patel puts some pressure on England as they reach 84/2 in 10 overs. Arshdeep Singh (5-0-33-2) has been the standout bowler, taking two crucial wickets, including that of Phil Salt. Tom Banton (12 off 15, 1 four, 1 six) is looking to rebuild alongside Joe Root (4 off 2, 1 four). With a current run rate of 8.40 and a required rate of 6.82, England remains in a solid position but needs to balance aggression with caution.

Arshdeep Singh gets his second wicket as Phil Salt departs for 23 after mistiming an uppercut straight to point. The slower ball, delivered at 119 kph, completely deceived Salt, resulting in a soft dismissal. Expecting more pace, Salt went for the big shot, but instead, it turned into a simple catch for Axar Patel.