England vs India ODI Series: Duckett's 141 Powers England to Vict 2026

Ben Duckett's stunning 141 from 135 balls powered England to a 2-1 ODI series victory against India at Lord's, sealing a memorable 27-run win. The left-hander's knock set a new men's ODI record at the historic ground, surpassing Viv Richards' unbeaten 138 from 1979. Despite a ferocious century from India captain Rohit Sharma, England's total of 387 for three proved too much for the tourists.

Duckett's Record-Breaking Innings

Duckett's innings was the cornerstone of England's imposing total, featuring 15 boundaries and three sixes. He shared a crucial partnership with Harry Brook, who contributed a brisk 87 off 72 balls. The duo added 174 runs for the third wicket, putting England in complete control after a solid start from openers Phil Salt and Joe Root.

India's Response Led by Rohit Sharma

India's chase was anchored by Rohit Sharma's explosive 138 off 110 balls, which included 12 fours and 6 sixes. He found support from Shubman Gill, who made a fluent 77, as the pair added 150 runs for the second wicket. At 260 for two in the 39th over, India looked poised for victory before a crucial breakthrough changed the game.

Bethell's Game-Changing Spell

Jacob Bethell, who had earlier scored 91 with the bat, delivered the decisive blow by dismissing Rohit Sharma with a left-arm tweaker that beat the sweep shot and hit the stumps. This wicket, recommended by head coach Brendon McCullum after Brook sought advice during a brief off-field moment, turned the tide firmly in England's favor. Bethell finished with figures of 2 for 45 from his 8 overs.

Key Moments in the Match

• Duckett's record: Surpassed Viv Richards' 1979 ODI score at Lord's.
• Brook's captaincy: Credited McCullum for Bethell's introduction.
• Buttler's finish: Jos Buttler's unbeaten 41 off 13 balls boosted England's total.
• India's collapse: Lost 5 wickets for 100 runs after Sharma's dismissal.

Series Victory and Future Implications

The win gave England a 2-1 series victory after losing the opening match, showcasing their resilience under Brook's captaincy. Brook, who has now led England to T20 and ODI series wins against India this summer, is being touted as a candidate for the Test captaincy under the next head coach. "It'd be tough to do all three jobs but I'm not saying it's impossible," Brook said after the match.

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