London: India captain Shubman Gill blamed his team’s inability to stem the flow of runs at the death after England amassed 388, saying the hosts’ late assault ultimately proved decisive in the visitors’ 27-run defeat in the series-deciding third ODI here on Sunday.
Reflecting on the turning point, Gill said India remained firmly in the contest until the closing stages of England’s innings, before an expensive finish with the ball swung the game decisively in the hosts’ favour.
“We were right in the game until the 45th over (when England batted). Gave away a lot of runs in the last three overs. That’s where the game went away from us,” Gill said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
Gill drew encouragement from Rohit Sharma’s fluent century, saying the senior opener once again demonstrated why he remains one of the world’s finest ODI batters despite the surface becoming increasingly difficult for stroke-making. “They (Rohit and Kohli) have done well over the years in different parts of the world. Pleased with how Rohit batted today. The wicket got slow in the end, wasn’t easy to bat, but treat to watch.”
India conceded heavily in the closing overs after England had already laid a solid platform through Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell and Joe Root, leaving the chase steeper than anticipated. Gill admitted his bowlers never quite recovered after conceding too many runs in the first powerplay, allowing England to dictate terms before finishing with a flourish. “Almost everyone got runs. In this match particularly, we didn’t bowl well in the first powerplay. The way they capitalised never gave us a chance to come back. At the death, they got too far away from us.”
