Shubman Gill century 112 and Shreyas Iyer’s 78 propelled India to 356 in the 3rd ODI vs England. Dive into match highlights, key partnerships, and England’s bowling struggles.

Shubman Gill century

Gill and Iyer Lead India’s Commanding 356 Against England: 3rd ODI Breakdown

India’s batting lineup delivered a masterclass in the third ODI against England at Ahmedabad, posting a mammoth 356 on the board. Spearheaded by Shubman Gill century and Shreyas Iyer’s explosive 78, the hosts dominated proceedings despite England’s late fightback. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of India’s innings, key performances, and what this total means for the series.

Early Setback: Rohit Sharma Falls to Wood’s Fiery Delivery

England struck early as Mark Wood’s pace unsettled Indian captain Rohit Sharma (2 off 8 balls) in just the second over. A sharp, rising delivery outside off forced an edge to slip, handing England a morale-boosting breakthrough. With India at 8/1, the pressure shifted to Virat Kohli, who walked in under scrutiny after inconsistent performances.

Gill and Kohli Stabilize: Building a Century Stand

Shubman Gill century: Shubman Gill, fresh off a century in Cuttack, continued his red-hot form. He partnered with Kohli to steady the innings, blending caution with aggression. Kohli shook off early nerves with a flurry of boundaries, including a textbook cover drive off Wood and back-to-back fours against Saqib Mahmood.

Gill, meanwhile, targeted Gus Atkinson, smashing him for a six and a four in the 10th over. The duo accelerated after the powerplay, taking on part-time spinner Liam Livingstone. Kohli reached his 66th ODI fifty in style, but Adil Rashid’s guile ended his stay at 57 (61 balls), breaking a 112-run partnership.

Key Stats:

• Gill-Kohli partnership: 112 runs (102 balls)
• Kohli’s 50: 57 balls, 6 fours, 1 six

Shubman Gill century Shubman Gill kholi

Iyer Joins the Charge: India’s Middle-Order Momentum

Shreyas Iyer entered at No. 4 and immediately shifted gears. He punished loose deliveries, particularly targeting leg-side boundaries. His 30-ball 40 kept the scoreboard ticking, while Gill anchored the innings, cruising to his 7th ODI century.

Gill’s milestone moment came in the 32nd over with a six off Rashid, but he fell soon after (112 off 109 balls) attempting another aggressive shot. Iyer, however, pressed on, reaching his 14th ODI fifty with a mix of elegant drives and sharp singles.

Turning Point:

• Gill-Iyer partnership: 104 runs (89 balls) Shubman Gill century
• Iyer’s strike rate: 98.70 (78 off 79 balls)

Rashid Strikes Back: England’s Brief Resurgence

Adil Rashid (4/64) emerged as England’s standout bowler, dismissing both Kohli and Iyer at critical junctures. His googly trapped Iyer LBW in the 40th over, halting India’s momentum at 275/4. Mark Wood (2/45) also returned to remove Hardik Pandya, who had smashed Rashid for consecutive sixes earlier.

Tactical Note:
Rashid’s variations and Wood’s pace stifled India’s lower-order surge, restricting them to 356 instead of a projected 370+.

Lower-Order Contributions: Rahul, Axar, and the Final Push

KL Rahul (32 off 28) and Axar Patel (18 off 14) provided late fireworks, but England’s death bowling limited the damage. Mahmood’s pinpoint yorkers accounted for Rahul, while Root dismissed Axar. India managed just 22 runs in the last three overs, a testament to England’s disciplined finish.

Key Performer:

• KL Rahul’s cameo: 3 fours, 1 six

England’s Bowling Analysis: Strengths and Weaknesses

While Rashid and Wood excelled, England’s supporting bowlers struggled. Atkinson (0/68) and Mahmood (1/65) leaked runs, while Root’s part-time spin (1/39) was a rare bright spot. Livingstone’s lack of wickets (0/48) highlighted England’s over-reliance on Rashid in middle overs.

Areas for Improvement:

• Death bowling consistency
• Support for Rashid in spin department

Conclusion: Can England Chase 356?

India’s 356 sets up a thrilling finale. England’s batters must overcome a shaky series record and Ahmedabad’s batting-friendly pitch. For India, defending this total hinges on their spinners exploiting the turning track.

Player to Watch:

• Shubman Gill: Now the fastest Indian to 2,000 ODI runs (38 innings).
• Adil Rashid: England’s lone warrior with 4 wickets.

inal Thoughts Shubman Gill century
India’s batting depth and Gill’s consistency make them favourites, but England’s explosive lineup (Buttler, Bairstow, Stokes) could turn the tables. Will Ahmedabad witness a historic chase? Stay tuned!