England vs India 2022: 3rd ODI – Who Said What

India defeated England by five wickets in the series finale at Old Trafford on Sunday, 17th of July, and completed a historic ODI series victory in the process on the back of heroics from Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant with the bat.

The Indian skipper Rohit Sharma put England to bat after winning the toss for the third consecutive time this series. The hosts were rocked early in the match after Mohammed Siraj, who replaced an injured Jasprit Bumrah in the team, bowled a scintillating double wicket maiden in the second over of the match. 

After being reduced to 74/4, England were staring down the barrel, but the English skipper Jos Buttler came to the rescue of the hosts with a well-made 60 off 80 deliveries. The wicketkeeper-batter stiched valuable partnership with the lower-order batters and his partnership with Liam Livingstone threatened to take the game away from the Indians before Hardik Pandya dismissed both batters in the 37th over of the match.

Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant plummeted the English bowlers

After restricting England for an under-par total of 259 runs on the board, India’s chase started in a similar fashion to the last game as they lost their top three batters in quick succession and without any telling contributions. But the duo of Pant and Pandya grabbed the bull by the horns and stitched a brilliant 130-run stand for the fifth wicket.

The Indian all-rounder scored a counter-attacking 71 off 55 balls, and after he was dismissed, his partner in crime Pant took the role of the aggressor and registered his maiden century in ODIs for the Indian team with a match-winning knock of 125 not out off 113 deliveries.

Losing skipper, Jos Buttler said:

“I thought we were short (of runs). Needed a good start which we got actually (with the ball). Throughout the whole summer so far we haven’t batted our best. He (Topley) has been brilliant for us, put in a man-of-the-match performance in the T20s as well. He was just creaking a bit, it’s been a tough schedule, and will probably have to look after him (Topley bowling 7 overs). If you give good players a chance they hurt you, half-chance with Pandya, along with the stumping. If we took our chances, with India’s tail, could’ve got hold of the game. I’ve found it (captaincy) absolutely fine to be honest. Missed a chance but don’t think it’s got anything to do with the captaincy. I’m an experienced cricketer but a young captain. Rash (Rashid) has probably been the most important player on our team for a long time. Look forward to welcoming him back.”

Winning skipper, Rohit Sharma said:

Very pleased. Came here, wanted to achieve something as a group in white ball. We were here last time and were beaten, I remember that. Not an easy place to come and win games. It was a good pitch, but we do understand it’s not going to be easy if we lose wickets upfront. Positive side of it, these guys haven’t batted much in the middle overs. Today we got to see that with Hardik and Rishabh. At no point we felt they were panicking. They backed themselves and played cricketing shots. He’s a critical member for us (Chahal). Has got so much experience bowling in all formats. Pretty pleased with how he’s come back after the WC. Hardik as well. One side boundary was long, he kept bowling the bouncers and got rewards for it. Not really (Worried about top-order?). To be honest, the wicket didn’t have much. We played some not so good shots. Still back those guys to come out good. One of those series where top order hasn’t come to the party. Have got nothing more to say because I know the quality they bring to the team. We’ve got some solid guys sitting on the bench who’ve been waiting to get a game. Want to create that bench strength. Injuries are bound to happen, have to manage workload, so need to build bench strength. Have got some solid guys who will get their opportunity in West Indies.

Player of the Match Rishabh Pant said :

“Hopefully, I remember (this knock) for the rest of my life. I was focusing on one ball at a time when I was batting. When your team is under pressure and you bat like that .. something I aspire to do. I always enjoy playing in England, at the same time enjoy the atmosphere and the situation. The more you play the more experience you gain. Nothing to take away from the bowlers, it was a good wicket to bat on and the bowlers did a commendable job to restrict them, they were brilliant not only today but for the entire series.”

Player of the Series, Hardik Pandya said:

“The white ball is something close to me. We all know how good a team England is. For us, as a team, it was important to come here, set out the plans for what we’ll bowl, and execute it. Important for me to stop the runs, and bowl as many dot balls. They were cruising at one point. I love short balls. Don’t fancy people taking me on. Gets me into the game. Don’t mind getting hit for six sixes also if I can get a wicket. That’s his (Livingstone) game as well, he takes his chances. I always feel I’m shameless as a bowler. Don’t care how far I get hit. We all know what talent he (Pant) has. Finally today he was playing the situation. The partnership changed the game for us. The way he finished the game was also special.”