India put in another all-round show at Nottingham on Saturday to hammer England for the second game in a row as they beat the hosts by seven wickets in the third ODI to take an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
The world champions were clinical in every department of the game as R Ashwin led the bowlers with a spell of 3 for 39 to restrict the hosts to 227 and Ambati Rayudu got a few more votes of confidence for his World Cup participation with his 64* to take India home in just 43 overs.
The only low-light of India’s show was the continued failure of Shikhar Dhawan (16), who once again became an easy prey for the English bowlers – this time failing to keep his cut shot down and finding Eoin Morgan at point off the bowling of Chris Woakes.
Besides Rayudu’s show, Kohli’s 40 was another reason for cheer in the Indian camp, though the Delhi batsman would have loved to kick on. Ajinkya Rahane, who came out to open with Shikhar Dhawan in the absence of ruled-out Rohit Sharma, also contributed with 45.
Rahane fell to Steven Finn after adding 50 for the third wicket with Kohli. Kohli was dismissed by Ben Stokes and exchanged a few words with the England pacer before walking off.
But it was the 87-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Rayudu and Suresh Raina (42) that slammed the door on England. After Raina was evicted by James Tredwell, Jadeja (12*) joined Rayudu to finish the game with ease.
Earlier, England were restricted to an average total by the Indian spinners who took five of the ten wickets to fall.
It was Raina and Rayudu who struck in their opening overs to trigger England collapse after Alastair Cook (44) and Alex Hales (42) had put on 82 for the opening wicket following India’s decision to field.
From there on, England lost wickets at regular intervals to slip to 182 for 7. Jos Buttler was the only notable contributor in the middle order with a score of 42 before a rush of blood saw him advance down to Ashwin, miss the line and get bowled.
The hosts crossed 200 only due to an 18-ball 30 by left-arm spinner Tredwell. Finn’s run out off the last ball of the innings ended England innings at 227.
