India seamers Shardul Thakur and Bhuvneshwar Kumar snared seven wickets between them to help the hosts beat England by seven runs in a thrilling third one-day international on Sunday and win the series 2-1.
England’s chase of 330 appeared all but over when they were reduced to 257-8 in the 40th over but Sam Curran and Mark Wood, who made 14, kept their side in the hunt with a stubborn 60-run stand for the ninth wicket.
All-rounder Curran, who was dropped on 22 and then again on 87, remained unbeaten on a career-best 95 but could not hit the required 14 runs in the final over with England finishing on 322-9.
“Congratulations Guys for holding up and having a season of a lifetime in toughest of times across all formats and hemispheres against 2 of the best teams in the world. Take a bow,” Shastri tweeted.
The hosts were dismissed for 329 after being put in to bat with Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya scoring half-centuries.
The target did not appear too imposing for England, who chased down 337 with 39 deliveries remaining in the previous match, but Kumar’s early breakthroughs put the hosts on top.
Kumar, who picked up 3-42, got the new ball to move in the air and dismissed openers Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow cheaply and almost got his third but Pandya dropped a skier from Ben Stokes, with the left-handed batsman on 15.
“I’ve always said that a captain is always as good as the team and he’s got a terrific team under him. He has got a couple of terrific opening batsman; the middle order is very good. He’s got a bowling attack which has plenty of variety. He has got an outstanding fielding unit. He’s got a wicketkeeper who is very good and who can come in down the order to bat and pummel the bowling along,” Gavaskar told Star Sports.
“So, the full balance of the team has been fantastic. And when you have something like that, you will win more matches than lose. And that is exactly what’s happening. Not everybody will be able to play to their potential,” Gavaskar explained.
“In a game of cricket, not XI players will be successful but if four players are successful say two from the bowling and as many from the batting then you are going win more matches than losing. India has some fabulous match-winners with the bat and with the ball and that is reflecting in the results.”
