🏏India tour of England, 2026: Eng vs India, 3rd ODI, Lord's, London🏏 - Page 2

Every successful captain has one early series that becomes the first reference point for his leadership. For MS Dhoni, it was the CB series win in 2008. For Virat Kohli, it was winning an ODI series in South Africa for the first time in 2018. Gill is waiting for a similar achievement.

Virat Kohli in action. (FILE photo)

England may have slipped to seventh in the ODI rankings, but the series has underlined why they still remain a dangerous side. Jofra Archer has bowled superbly, Joe Root has anchored the batting, and the lower order has made useful contributions.

A series win in England would therefore become the first defining achievement of Gill’s ODI captaincy.

Tough start

India lost 2-1 in Australia in his first assignment. A promising start against New Zealand at home quickly unravelled as defeats in Rajkot and Indore handed the visitors the series, raising questions about India’s ability to overcome stronger opposition under their new leader.

Last month’s series victory against Afghanistan brought welcome relief, but it was also a result most expected India to achieve given the gulf between the two teams.

Captaincy transitions are rarely smooth, especially when the predecessor leaves behind a settled core and a clear style of play. The next captain must preserve that foundation while making the team his own.

Gill is leading senior players from the Rohit era while trying to bring younger cricketers into the side and establish his own way of doing things.

Rohit factor

The Rohit factor adds another subplot to the occasion. Questions have also been asked about Rohit’s scores of 11 and 26 in the first two matches. India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel, however, dismissed concerns, saying that the 39-year-old is experienced enough to find solutions.

“No doubt Rohit will work it out. He has done it in the past. He is experienced. And he just brings that calmness to the batting line-up. So without a doubt, no worries and concerns at all with the way he is going about things,” Morkel said on Saturday.

If Sunday indeed proves to be Rohit’s final ODI, the symbolism will be hard to ignore. As captain, he transformed India’s ODI approach, encouraging greater intent at the top of the order while leading a side that consistently delivered and challenged for global honours. Gill is not expected to become the next Rohit. India’s selectors chose him because they believe he can become the first Shubman Gill as captain. The challenge is to create an identity that is recognisably his own.

Captain Gill's journey needs milestones, and today offers the first genuine chance. Dhoni had the CB Series. Kohli had South Africa. Gill is still waiting for his. Lord’s could be where he finds it.

After England levelled the 3-match ODI series against India 1-1 with a four-wicket win at Cardiff earlier this week, an intriguing series finale awaits at the ‘Home of Cricket’ on today.

Lord’s hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for India in ODI’s for nearly two decades, as they look to put an end to their 22-year wait for a win on today. A win would mean more than just a series win for the Men in Blue, as it would re-establish their ground in the tough English conditions.

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India doesn't have a good record at Lords

May the best Men wins

All the best to my Favorite Men in all shades of blue

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Originally posted by: Viswasruti

Root has already produced the defining innings of the series, his match-winning 99* in Cardiff reaffirming why England continue to build around him in this format. Kohli, in his time at the crease, has looked every bit the master craftsman, his measured half-century a reminder that few batters understand the rhythm of an ODI quite like he does.

Buttler's statement came a little earlier in the tour, in the final T20I in Southampton, where he rediscovered the range and freedom that once made him the world's most feared white-ball batter.

That leaves Rohit Sharma. The retirement chatter may have been misplaced, but it was not entirely detached from reality. His returns have dipped, his Powerplay strike-rate has lost some of its old menace, and the explosive starts that once defined India's ODI blueprint have become less frequent.

Lord's, then, offers more than just a series decider. It offers Rohit the chance to replace speculation with substance, and perhaps turn days of questions into an evening of answers.

When: Sunday, 19 July, 2026 at 11:00 AM local / 3:30 PM IST

Where: Lord's, London

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