India Vs England 2021: Twitter Erupts As Team India Wins The Series-Decider Despite Sam Curran's Brilliance To Claim The Rubber 2-1

Brilliant powerplay bowling by Bhuvneshwar Kumar and impeccable bowling by Shardul Thakur during the middle-overs has helped Team India defend 329 despite a brilliant unbeaten 83-ball 95 by Sam Curran in the final ODI in Pune to take the three-match ODI series 2-1 against world champions England.

Chasing 330 to win, England once again got off to a blazing start as Jason Roy took the attack to Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the very first over as he smashed him for three boundaries in the first five deliveries.

But, it was Bhuvneshwar, who had the last laugh as he knocked over Jason Roy on the sixth delivery of the first over.

Roy, who had stroked three boundaries by throwing his hands at the ball, was caught frozen in the crease as Bhuvi got one to jag back in to dislodge his stumps.

Bhuvneshwar landed another blow on England as he trapped the centurion of the last match, Jonny Bairstow, leg-before-wicket after the opener shuffled way too across his stumps.

Bhuvi could have got Ben Stokes as well but for Hardik Pandya, who missed the easiest of catches at mid-off.

Stokes luck eventually ran out as he picked the worst possible delivery- a rank full-toss by T Natarajan- to hit it straight to Shikhar Dhawan at deep midwicket. England 3/68 after 11 overs.

Shardul Thakur trapped Jos Buttler plumb in front to reduce England to 4/95 after 15.1 overs. But Liam Livingstone once again impressed with his brilliant strokeplay.

The youngster smashed four fours and a six to race to 30 off just 22 deliveries as he and Malan racked up a counterpunching 50-run-stand for the 5th wicket.

But once again, it was Shardul Thakur who came to India’s rescue as another batsman- this time Liam Livingstone- ended up hitting a full-toss straight to the fielder, this time to the bowler itself who made no mistake in claiming it.

One brought two for Shardul as Dawid Malan, after having completed his half-century, stroked an attempted pull straight to Rohit Sharma at mid-wicket as England sunk to 6/168 in 25.4 overs.

Moeen Ali stroked some lusty blows during his 25-ball 29 before Hardik Pandya completed a stunning diving catch at mid-off off the bowling of Bhuvneshwar Kumar to send him packing.

But England refused to give up as Sam Curran and Adil Rashid notched up a brilliant 57-run 8th wicket-stand to keep India at bay.

What a catch by the Captain and @<!---->i<!---->m<!---->S<!---->h<!---->a<!---->r<!---->d picks up his fourth wicket.

Take a bow @<!---->i<!---->m<!---->V<!---->k<!---->o<!---->h<!---->l<!---->i ?

Live – h<!---->t<!---->t<!---->p<!---->s<!---->:<!---->/<!---->/<!---->t<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->/<!---->w<!---->I<!---->h<!---->E<!---->f<!---->E<!---->5<!---->P<!---->D<!---->R #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G @<!---->P<!---->a<!---->y<!---->t<!---->m p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->V<!---->p<!---->s<!---->V<!---->5<!---->x<!---->F<!---->3<!---->y<!---->v

— BCCI (@BCCI) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Ultimately it took a brilliant one-handed stunner by Virat Kohli, where he dived to his left at short cover, to send Adil Rashid back. Sam Curran, however, continued to fight as he notched up his maiden ODI fifty in 45 deliveries.

Curran, courtesy a stunning calculative counterattack, took the game right down the wire.

The left-hander smoked 18 runs off the 47th over to bring the equation down to a mere 23 off the last three overs.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar gave away just 4 runs in the 48th over and it could have been all over in the next over but for Shardul Thakur and T Natarajan, who dropped Mark Wood and Sam Curran off consecutive deliveries.

It eventually boiled down to the last over with the equation reducing to 14 off the last six balls and Sam Curran on strike at 90.

India eventually got the breakthrough in the form of Mark Wood, who got run-out by a mile in an attempt to get Sam Curran back on strike. Topley got Sam Curran back on strike but Natarajan held his nerves as he nailed his yorkers to ensure that Curran stayed stranded on 95 and England seven runs short of the target.

Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya’s belligerence helped India score 329

Having once again lost the toss and being invited to bat first, India, for the first time in the series has shown intent in the first 15 overs with Shikhar Dhawan launching an attack on the English bowlers, especially Reece Topley and Sam Curran.

During their 103-run-stand in 14.4 overs, the duo not only went on to complete 5000+ runs in ODI cricket but also notched up their 17th hundred-run partnership- the 4th most in the history of ODI cricket.

But the duo squandered their starts Adil Rashid had chipped in with yet another wicket with Dhawan joining Rohit in what was a soft caught-and-bowled dismissal.

Moeen Ali joined the party as he once again knocked over Virat Kohli, who rocked back way too much only to see his stumps shattered. And, to make matters worse for Team India, KL Rahul chose the worst possible delivery to get out as he hit a rank full-toss from Liam Livingstone straight to Moeen Ali at short fine-leg.

However, the refreshing thing in India’s batting today was their non-compromising attacking intent. Despite losing four wickets in a cluster, the likes of Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya continued with the tempo.

Pant and Pandya showed their top-order how to bat against the likes of Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali as they launched a stunning calculative assault in the middle-overs.

Pant was once again at his best as he flicked, slog-swept and stroked single-handed sixes against the spinners, especially Adil Rashid while Pandya took the stuffing out of Moeen Ali by smoking him for three sixes in an over.

The duo completed their respective half-centuries in quick time during their brilliant 99-run-stand in just 11.4 overs.

However, England struck back and claimed both Pant (78 off 62 balls) and Pandya (64 off 44 balls) against the run of play between overs 35-39. While Pant miscued an attempted flick off Sam Curran as Jos Buttler completed a brilliant one-handed catch while Hardik Pandya shuffled across way too much against Stokes to see his leg-stump knocked over.

The untimely dismissals completely sucked the momentum out of India’s innings and even though Shardul Thakur stroked some lusty blows, Krunal Pandya struggled for his timing and managed a painstaking 34-ball 25.

India lost their last 4 wickets for 53 runs in 10 overs following the wicket of Hardik to eventually get bowled out for 329 in 48.2 overs.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

so between IPL 2020 and IPL 2021 India win 5 of their 6 series across formats. this is a very gifted bunch of players #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

England end their tour having lost eight matches. Only once in their history have they lost more matches on a single tour – the Ashes tour in 2013/14, when they lost 12 games. #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Before today, Sam Curran had never scored more than 57 in List A cricket.#<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

What a game!! What a series!! Some of the batting power and skill levels from both teams has been unbelievable!!! #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G ??????

— Ian Bell (@Ian_Bell) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

The whole Tour of India has been great to watch … tremendous skills,lots of drama,bit of controversy & plenty of talking points … Bloody love cricket … #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->s<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

This series #<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d<!---->v<!---->s<!---->E<!---->n<!---->g<!---->_<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1
Toss results: England 10, India 2
Match results: India 8, England 4
Series results:
India won 3-1 (Tests)
India won 3-2 (T20Is)
India won 2-1 (ODIs)#<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d<!---->v<!---->E<!---->n<!---->g#<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d<!---->v<!---->s<!---->E<!---->n<!---->g

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Highest individual score batting at 8 or below (ODI)

95* Sam Curran v Ind, Pune 2021
95* Chris Woakes v SL, Nottingham 2016
92* Andre Russell v Ind, North Sound 2011
92 Nathan Coulter-Nile v WI, Nottingham 2019
86* Ravi Rampaul v Ind, Vizag 2011#<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->B<!---->b<!---->R<!---->t<!---->J<!---->r<!---->l<!---->Z<!---->0<!---->z

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

VIRAT WHAT A CATCH

— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Love it when Sam Curran comes off with the bat. His strokeplay is very attractive.#<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

— Charlie ????????? (@charlie_strange) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Sam Curran is playing a blinder. India need wickets here. This match is not over yet.

— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Thokar khaakar aadmi Thakur banta hai.
All hail Lord Shardul, the game changer#<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->s<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->X<!---->C<!---->y<!---->M<!---->v<!---->s<!---->z<!---->3<!---->5<!---->f

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

#<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G
Lord Shardul always come to the rescue p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->q<!---->a<!---->A<!---->z<!---->b<!---->B<!---->1<!---->v<!---->R<!---->K

— Sudhanshu Ranjan Singh (@memegineers_) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

#<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G
Lord Shardul Thakur whenever team needs him p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->V<!---->e<!---->y<!---->H<!---->u<!---->X<!---->W<!---->k<!---->K<!---->k

— Shivani (@meme_ki_diwani) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

He will give you pain without hurting. It's a bad idea to look at Lord Shardul the wrong way.

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

https://twitter.com/ZaltzCricket/status/1376163317593608196?s=19

Ben Stokes' last 20 ODI innings:

841 runs
Average 60.07
Scoring rate 5.8rpo
8 fifties#<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

https://twitter.com/benjonescricket/status/1376151137489944576?s=19

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has dismissed two dangerous batsmen: Jason Roy & Jonny Bairstow. Two wickets in 2 overs for Bhuvi! Ideal start for India.
One of India's pet peeves from 2020 in ODIs has been picking wickets in the first 10 overs

— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has taken two wickets inside the first three overs of the innings. The last Indian to do so was…Bhuvneshwar Kumar, against West Indies in June 2017. #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Stokes checking on Lord Thakur's bat. Its not the bat, it's just the man himself. ?

— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

https://twitter.com/im_yash2307/status/1376132827012472834?s=19

Rishabh Pant could be that X-factor in the ODI setup. Can bat at any position. Attacks spin regularly & never let's them settle. If he's set, he can be dangerous in the final 10. If India have to get 350-375 in ODIs, Pant's aggression in the middle overs will be the key

— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

No Rishabh Pant, now prove yourself in T10 cricket.

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Hardik Pandya in ODI cricket since the 2019 World Cup:

90 (76)
28 (31)
92* (76)
1 (9)
35 (16)
58* (39) – TODAY#<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->U<!---->L<!---->j<!---->3<!---->F<!---->t<!---->k<!---->s<!---->s<!---->5

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

An excellent knock from Rishabh Pant comes to an end. He was typically aggressive, but showed plenty of control as well – his false shot percentage, 5%, is the lowest of any batsman in the innings. #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Pant is a ??????

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Rishabh Pant completes 2,000 international runs as a Wicketkeeper. He took 60 innings to reach the landmark. MS Dhoni also reached 2,000 international runs in 60 innings.

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

13 years ago #<!---->C<!---->h<!---->e<!---->n<!---->n<!---->a<!---->i .
Time flies faster than Pant's sixes p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->R<!---->J<!---->P<!---->F<!---->w<!---->Z<!---->1<!---->X<!---->3<!---->8

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

58* sixes hit, so far, in this series.
The maximum hit between two sides in an ODI series of 4 or less matches.
And still 69 overs to go in this match!#<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d<!---->v<!---->E<!---->n<!---->g#<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d<!---->v<!---->s<!---->E<!---->n<!---->g

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

this is what happens when you go into your shell

— ???????? (@Kohliesque) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

KL Rahul won't get out to a worst ball for a long time.

— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

KL Rahul has outdone the top three.

— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Rishabh Pant's Average Batting Impact in this series, +17, is the best he's recorded in an ODI series so far. #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

#<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G h<!---->t<!---->t<!---->p<!---->s<!---->:<!---->/<!---->/<!---->t<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->/<!---->a<!---->E<!---->g<!---->w<!---->n<!---->k<!---->f<!---->v<!---->b<!---->s p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->1<!---->A<!---->R<!---->8<!---->P<!---->k<!---->X<!---->v<!---->e<!---->j

— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Spinners who have clean bowled Virat Kohli more than once in international cricket:

Moeen Ali

— Ali Martin (@Cricket_Ali) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Kohli fans and Rohit fans today p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->5<!---->4<!---->d<!---->R<!---->r<!---->v<!---->4<!---->k<!---->V<!---->C

— Spaminder Bharti (@attomeybharti) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Moeen Ali's having a good series with the ball. His Average Bowling Impact of +13.3 is the fourth highest he's recorded in an ODI series, and the highest he's recorded since playing Australia in 2018. #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Rohit score 37 runs. Virat scored 7 runs. Clearly a rift between them. Of 30 runs.

— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

https://twitter.com/im_yash2307/status/1376104737720860675?s=19

Most 100+ opening partnerships in ODIs
21 Tendulkar – Ganguly
17 Rohit – Dhawan
16 Gilchrist – Hayden
15 Greenidge – Haynes#<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1