The three-match one-day series between India and England is delicately poised at 1-1, with everything now resting on Sunday's decider at Lord's. What began with an assured India victory has swung firmly back England's way, and the tourists will need to regroup quickly if they are to close out the tour on a high.
India struck first at Edgbaston on 14 July, chasing down 259 with six wickets and 28 balls to spare. It looked far from comfortable at one stage, with India losing three wickets for just 11 runs, but Shubman Gill's composed start laid the platform before Axar Patel took control. Axar finished unbeaten on 57 from 52 balls and shared an unbroken stand of 102 with Washington Sundar to seal the win. His all-round display, backed by figures of 4 for 62, earned him the player-of-the-match award.
England hit back hard in Cardiff two days later. Set 234 to win, they got home with four wickets and 35 balls in hand, but the margin flattered a chase that hinged almost entirely on one man. Joe Root, so often England's anchor, carried the innings from a nervy start to the finish line, ending stranded on 99 not out as the winning runs arrived. It was a masterclass in pacing a run chase, even if it denied Root a hundred.
The result means the sides head to the home of cricket all square. For India, the challenge is to rediscover the batting depth that served them so well in Birmingham and to find early breakthroughs with the ball. For England, the task is clear: build an innings that does not lean so heavily on Root alone.
The deciding one-dayer takes place at Lord's on Sunday, 19 July, with the winner claiming the series. On current form, there is little to separate two well-matched sides.
