A gutsy innings from Sam Curran took England to the verge of an unlikely victory in the deciding ODI in Pune.
Chasing a challenging 330 for victory, England looked down and out when they fell to 200-7. However, Surrey’s Curran single handily took England almost over the line before T. Natarajan held his nerve with the final over of the game to give India a series win.
England recall Wood for the deciding ODI
England went into the deciding game of the series by bringing back Mark Wood in place of Tom Curran. The visitors won the toss and put India into bat.
Rohit Sharma and Shikar Dhawan posted a century stand before Adil Rashid bowled Sharma(38). Rashid struck again shortly afterwards to have Dhawan(67) caught and bowled.
Spin gets England off to the perfect start
Spin was certainly working for the visitors and when Moeen bowled Virat Kohli(7), the visitors had bagged three wickets in 22 balls.
Liam Livingstone struck with just his second delivery by having KL Rahul(7) caught behind square off a full toss.
Not for the first time in this magnificent series India recovered with a big partnership. Rishabh pant and Hardik Pandya added 99 for the fifth wicket before Pant(78) fell. The wicket keeper nicked a ball behind with Jos Buttler taking a fine low catch to his left.
India loose three quick wickets
Ben Stokes bowled Pandya(64) as India lost three wickets in 14 balls. It was down to Mark Wood to mop up the tail as India were bowled out for 329 with Wood taking 3-34.
In reply, England lost Jason Roy(14) to the sixth ball of the innings. Jonny Bairstow quickly followed, both to the bowling of Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Stokes made 35 before holing out in the deep and when Buttler(15) was trapped lbw by Shardul Thakur, India were on top.
India well on top
Thakur had Liam Livingston(36) caught and bowled and then picked up the key wicket of Dawid Malan for 50. Kumar returned back into the attack as Mooen(29) chipped to mid off to leave England 200-7.
Rashid joined Curran in the middle with the pair putting on 57 before Rashid(19) was brilliantly caught one handed by Kohli.
At 257-8, the hosts were still very much the favourites to win with Curran carrying the hopes of England.
The Surrey all rounder- who was dropped on 22 by Hardyk- took 18 off an over from Thakur to reduce the target down to 23 off 18 balls. Curran received fantastic support from Wood as England edged closer to their target.
Curran almost the hero for England
Nerves got to the Indian fielders as Thakur dropped Wood on 13 and next ball Curran was dropped on 87.
The visitors went into the final over with 14 to win with Natarajan bowling. The seamer is renowned for bowling yorkers at the death in the IPL, but this was to be something completely different.
Wood(14) was run out with a throw from the deep and despite a couple of wides, England were left 12 to win from two balls.
Eventually the target proved to much for England who finished just short of their target in yet another riveting ODI.