Rohit Sharma's 137 in Vain as England Beat India by 27 Runs in 3rd ODI

England Seal Series with Dominant All-Round Display

England defeated India by 27 runs in the third and deciding ODI in Manchester on Saturday. The win gave the visitors a 2-1 series victory on Indian soil, a result that captain Harry Brook described as a 'fantastic achievement' against the world's No. 1 ranked side.

Chasing a stiff target of 322, India rode on a magnificent 137 from Rohit Sharma. The opener's innings, which came off 137 balls, included 12 fours and 4 sixes. But it proved to be a lone hand as the middle order failed to build on the foundation he laid.

India's chase lost momentum after Rohit's dismissal in the 41st over. The required run rate climbed steeply, and wickets tumbled at regular intervals. England's bowlers held their nerve in the death overs, executing yorkers and slower balls to perfection.

Rohit's Grit Overshadowed by Lack of Support

Rohit Sharma walked out to bat with intent, smashing boundaries early to keep India in the hunt. He brought up his hundred in the 33rd over with a straight drive, his third ODI century of the year. However, no other Indian batter crossed the 40-run mark.

Shubman Gill fell early for 18, while Virat Kohli managed only 27 before edging to the keeper. Suryakumar Yadav's aggressive 32 off 28 balls raised hopes, but his dismissal to a sharp catch in the deep stalled the charge. The middle order collapse was swift.

With 70 needed off the last 10 overs, India's lower order could not find the boundary consistently. Axar Patel's 22 off 26 balls was too slow, and the required rate ballooned past 12 an over. The chase ended at 294 for 8 in 50 overs.

Bowling Concerns Without Bumrah

India's bowling lacked its usual venom in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, who was rested for the series. The pace attack leaked runs in the middle overs, with England's batsmen capitalising on loose deliveries. The Times of India noted that the 'middle-over planning was all over the place'.

England posted 321 for 6 in their 50 overs, powered by half-centuries from Ben Duckett (71) and Joe Root (68). Brook himself chipped in with a brisk 45. The Indian spinners, including Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja, went for over six runs per over without taking regular wickets.

The lack of a genuine enforcer in the death overs hurt India. Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh were expensive, and Hardik Pandya's medium pace was milked for singles. The fielding, too, was below par with two dropped catches.

What's Next for Both Teams

India will look to regroup before the upcoming Test series against England. The team management will need to address the bowling depth and middle-order consistency. For England, this series win provides a significant confidence boost ahead of the home summer.