And just like that, India capped off the three-match ODI series against England with a win in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, securing a clean sweep. With the Champions Trophy on the horizon, this was India’s final assignment before they fly out to Dubai for the marquee ICC event.
Before the series began, there were plenty of questions—how returning senior players like Mohammed Shami, Shreyas Iyer, and Kuldeep Yadav would perform, how the debutants would fare, and whether Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma could rediscover their form. What might India’s ideal team combination be? By the end of the series, many of those questions were answered, though a few still linger.
The 3-0 scoreline highlighted India’s dominance, with England failing to put up much of a fight. Even with a depleted squad, India outplayed the visitors, which should boost their confidence heading into the Champions Trophy, especially after a long break from ODI cricket. However, a series whitewash doesn’t always reflect the challenges a team or certain players face during key moments.
“Obviously, there are certain things we are looking at (to improve), and I am not going to stand here and explain those,” said Rohit during the post-match presentation ceremony. Clearly, despite winning the series, Rohit knows there are a few areas India must address before their next assignment. Here, we examine the hits and misses.
Gill Silences Critics
When India’s squad was announced, and Shubman Gill was named vice-captain, doubts and concerns arose regarding his form. Many advocated for the in-form Yashasvi Jaiswal to open alongside Rohit. However, as Gill stated at the start of the series, he was determined to deliver strong performances and lead the way—and he did just that, finishing as the highest run-scorer. Any talk of Gill’s poor form in Australia affecting his ODI performances has now been put to rest. With Rohit and Kohli struggling for consistency with the bat, Gill stepped up and shouldered the responsibility. He was tested and delivered with flying colors.
India Can Fit Both Jadeja and Axar
It’s not often that two similar players find a place in the playing XI. Ahead of the series, one of the big questions was—who would make the cut, Ravindra Jadeja or Axar Patel? However, India opted to play both. This decision not only strengthened the batting order but also provided Rohit with an extra bowling option. While Jadeja excelled with the ball, the experiment of Axar batting at No. 5 worked well, as he contributed valuable runs in the first two ODIs. By the end of the series, India had successfully accommodated both players in the lineup.
Iyer Makes Roaring Comeback
Shreyas wasn’t initially in contention to play the first ODI, but an injury to Kohli opened the door for him—and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands. Having spent most of last year on the sidelines, this series was a crucial test for the Mumbai batter, especially against England’s pace attack, which regularly clocks over 140 km/h and targets the body with short-pitched deliveries. His first six of the series, off Jofra Archer’s bowling, gave him a strong start, and he capitalised on it. With two fifties in three games and a lowest score of 44, Shreyas ensured England couldn’t exploit his short-ball weakness—a promising sign for India.
Powerplay Struggles with the Ball
In all three games, England’s openers stitched together 50-plus partnerships. By the time India broke the stands, the damage in the Powerplay had already been done. While India’s bowlers managed to pull things back after the first ten overs in each game, it doesn’t hide the fact that their performance with the new ball was below par. Shami didn’t look at his absolute best, and the inexperience of Harshit Rana was evident as he was taken apart in his opening spells. India leaked runs early, and while it didn’t cost them in this series, it could prove costly in the Champions Trophy. Addressing their Powerplay woes with the ball is a must.
Inconsistent Giants
A century from Rohit and a fifty from Kohli provided fans with some relief. Seeing seasoned players perform is always reassuring, but by their own high standards, it was another mediocre series for both. Rohit continued to struggle against the moving ball, while Adil Rashid once again exposed Kohli’s vulnerabilities against leg-spin in white-ball cricket.
Rahul Ahead of Pant
There was much debate over who would don the gloves in the series—KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant. Before the series, Rohit hinted that Rahul would start, and not only did he get the nod, but he also played all three games. Meanwhile, Pant was left without an opportunity in what was essentially a preparatory series for the Champions Trophy. Almost everyone in the squad got a chance except Pant. At the press conference, head coach Gautam Gambhir made it clear that Rahul would retain the role in the Champions Trophy as well.
“At the moment, KL is our No. 1 wicketkeeper, and he has delivered for us,” Gambhir told reporters in Ahmedabad.
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