India will return home from England with the ODI trophy, though the more desired one slipped badly out of their hands in the Test series. But given the World Cup is less than six months away, it’s a consolation that should do the much-needed good to the flagging spirits of the world champions.
After a 3-1 loss in the Test series, India inflicted an ODI series defeat on England with the same margin. While the feat is by no means a leveller, India showed they are battle-ready to defend their ODI crown, which should gladden a few hearts back home.
Other than being a World Cup boost, the win also erased unhappy memories of winless bilateral ODI series in South Africa and New Zealand, which had raised questions whether India’s inability to win overseas has extended from Tests to limited-overs cricket.
But MS Dhoni’s team answered in style, taking an unbeateable 3-0 before losing the final game at Leeds on Friday. En route, Dhoni became the most successful leader for India in ODIs, overtaking Mohammad Azharuddin’s mark of 90 wins.
However, India’s refusal to test wicktkeeper batsman Sanju Samson and legspinner Karn Sharma despite winning the series with a game to spare was a bit disappointing since there aren’t many opportunities to do that now ahead of the tour of Australia.
Bureau Report
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