Watch: India Players Support BCCI’s ‘Donate Organs, Save Lives’ Initiative In Ahmedabad

The third ODI of the three-match series between India and England at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad didn’t hold much importance from both the bilateral prospect. But both sides aim to tick the remaining boxes going into the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which begins on February 19.

The Blue Brigade won the first two 50-over fixtures at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur and the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. They hope to seal the series, while the Jos Buttler-led side will hope to earn some momentum going into the ICC mega event.

India’s powerful performance in Nagpur and Cuttack

Winning the toss, England decided to bat first in Nagpur and made a cracking start with the opening stand of 75 runs in eight 8.5 overs. But once Phil Salt went back to the dressing room, thanks to a run-out, the visitors lost the plot with the bat and kept on losing wickets at regular intervals.

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Ben Duckett smashed 32 runs in 29 balls and aimed to attack the spinners a lot more and found Yashasvi Jaiswal, who ran backward to grab a great catch. Jos Buttler and Jacob Bethell celebrated their respective half-centuries at a strike rate of nearly 80 as they finished on 248 in 47.4 overs.

India lost both their openers early in the chase but never looked unsettled as Shreyas Iyer creamed a fine and aggressive half-century in the fixture. Shubman Gill carried them over the line thanks to his 87 runs before Axar Patel contributed 52 runs in 47 deliveries to take them home with four wickets in hand.

In Cuttack, the home side again displayed a better bowling performance and restricted the England side to just 304 runs in 49.5 overs. Both Duckett and Joe Root celebrated their respective half-centuries, but none could stand up long in the middle for a huge score.

Rohit Sharma, who was due to score runs for a long time, displayed his fierce batting and notched up 119 runs in 90 deliveries with the help of 12 boundaries and seven sixes. Gill ended on 60 runs, while a couple of scores into the 40s from Iyer and Patel took them home with four wickets in hand.

Watch: India and England players wear green armbands to support BCCI’s initiative

The players of both sides have put the green armbands on during the third ODI in Ahmedabad, as they are supporting the organ donation initiative, which the ICC chairman, Jay Shah, confirmed.

“The two teams are wearing green armbands to support BCCI’s initiative "Donate Organs, Save Lives.” The initiative is spearheaded by ICC Chairman Mr. Jay Shah. Pledge spread the word, and let's be a part of something truly meaningful.” The official statement of the BCCI expressed.

𝘿𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙊𝙧𝙜𝙖𝙣𝙨, 𝙎𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙇𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙨

Be a part of the organ donation initiative on the 12th of February at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad! 🏟️

Pledge to donate your organs and make a difference 👌👌#TeamIndia | #DonateOrgansSaveLives pic.twitter.com/rxreUuhq65

— BCCI (@BCCI) February 11, 2025

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Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Shubman Gill, and all the other members of the Indian side expressed their thoughts on the initiative.

India rests Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja in Ahmedabad

India decided to rest Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami for the Ahmedabad ODI. Varun Chakravarthy, who gets his name in the Champions Trophy squad, missed out due to a calf issue. Rohit confirmed that Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana would share the new ball.

England called Tom Banton in the side. The wicket-keeper will bat at number three in the department as they decided to use the dew factor later in the chase. The home side was 155/2 in 24 overs, as Kohli celebrated a fifty with Gill getting near to his century.