India beats England by 142 runs; Sweep ODI series 3-0

India wrapped up a commanding 142-run victory over England in the third ODI at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, completing a clean sweep of the three-match series. The dominant win serves as a major confidence boost for the Rohit Sharma-led side ahead of the Champions Trophy, which begins on February 19. The star of the show was Shubman Gill, who played a sublime knock of 112 runs off 102 balls, guiding India to an imposing total of 356 all-out in 50 overs.

After losing the toss and being put to bat first, India got off to a solid start despite an early setback. Gill took charge, playing with elegance and aggression, smashing 14 boundaries and three sixes. He found ample support from Shreyas Iyer (78), Virat Kohli (52), and KL Rahul (40), all of whom played crucial roles in building India’s formidable total. England’s bowlers struggled to contain the Indian batters, with Adil Rashid emerging as the best performer, claiming 4 for 64. Mark Wood also impressed with figures of 2 for 45, but the rest of the attack failed to make an impact.

England began their chase with promise, as the openers provided a steady start. However, once the first wicket fell, their batting lineup crumbled under pressure. India’s bowlers maintained tight lines and struck at regular intervals, ensuring that England never regained momentum. Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Hardik Pandya, and Axar Patel all delivered brilliant spells, picking up two wickets each to dismantle the visitors.

Jos Buttler and his men struggled to counter India’s disciplined attack, and their chase fell apart quickly. England was eventually bowled out for 214, well short of the 357-run target. The defeat marked a disappointing end to their ODI series, exposing their batting vulnerabilities against India's well-balanced bowling unit.

This victory not only gave India a series sweep but also highlighted their growing dominance in the format ahead of the Champions Trophy. Gill’s century was the standout performance, reaffirming his position as one of India’s most dependable batters in ODIs. With solid contributions from the middle order and an impressive bowling display, India looks well-prepared for the challenges ahead.

With the series now wrapped up, India will shift focus to fine-tuning their squad for the upcoming global tournament. The resounding win over England provides a perfect springboard as they aim to carry this momentum into the Champions Trophy and beyond.