England put up a commanding batting display after Harry Brook elected to bat first in the third and final ODI at Lord's, posting a massive total of 387/3 in the first innings. This is also the highest score in an ODI at this venue. It was a flawless effort from the hosts, who dominated from the very beginning and made the most of good batting conditions. England started really well with both openers dominating the powerplay. The innings was built around a superb 198-run opening partnership between Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell. Both the batters made most of the conditions and pounced on India's inconsistent new-ball bowling and kept the scoreboard ticking.

Both batters were quick to punish anything short or wide, while also rotating the strike regularly and kept the scoring rate up. Bethell looked confident throughout his stay at the crease, playing some excellent shots. The youngster reached his half-century in impressive fashion and looked set for his second ODI hundred before falling for 91 off 93 balls, an innings which included 11 fours and two sixes. Prasidh Krishna provided the

breakthrough for India. Joe Root broke plenty of records in this game. He became the first England batter ever to score 6 consecutive fifties in ODI history.

Joe Root also broke the record of most runs in a bilateral series without getting dismissed.

249 Joe Root vs Ind 2026 (76*, 99*, 74*)

248 Jos Buttler vs Net 2022 (162*, 86*)

241 Ricky Ponting vs NZ 2007 (107*, 134*)

Ben Duckett smashes century at Lord’s

Ben Duckett anchored the innings brilliantly. The opener batted with controlled aggression, picking gaps effortlessly and finding boundaries whenever India missed their lengths. He reached his fourth ODI century before going on to score a magnificent 141 off 135 balls, scoring 18 fours and a six to record the highest individual score in ODIs at the venue.

Joe Root continued his outstanding form in the format with an unbeaten 74 from just 48 balls, timing the ball beautifully and accelerating through the final overs. This was his sixth half century in a row in ODIs and he has been in great touch.

England captain Harry Brook got out cheaply but Jos Buttler added the finishing touches with a trademark cameo, smashing 41 not out off only 13 balls, including four boundaries and three sixes. The pair of Root and Buttler took on India's death bowling and scored 62 runs in the final three overs to propel England close to 387.

India struggled with the ball managing only three wickets in the innings. Prasidh Krishna was the best bowler for India claiming two wickets while Prince Yadav scalped a wicket. This was a sensational batting performance from England, leaving India with a huge target of 388 in the series decider.