Rohit century guides India to T20I series win in England

Rohit Sharma scored his third T20I century as India beat England seven wickets in the third and final T20I in Bristol on Sunday and clinch the three-match series 2-1.

Chasing an imposing target of 199, Rohit struck 100 not out off 56 deliveries to guide India to victory with eight balls still to spare.

Rohit got good support from his captain Virat Kohli (43) as the duo added 89 for the third wicket after the tourists has slipped to 62/2 after 5.2 overs.

The wicket of Kohli with India’s total on 151/3 after 14.5 overs saw a promotion in the batting order for Hardik Pandya.

Pandya, who came in ahead of Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni, did not disappoint as he brutally struck an unbeaten 33 off just 14 balls, including the winning boundary, as the visitors took the series.

Earlier, Pandya was also the star with the ball for India as he finished with figures of 4-38 in four overs as England scored 198/9 in their 20 overs.

The hosts would have been disappointed with that total as openers Jason Roy (67 off 31 balls) and Jos Buttler (34 off 21 balls) gave England s superb start, putting on 94 inside the first eight overs.

Number three batsman Alex Hales hit 34 while Jonny Bairstow scored 24 but England kept losing wickets during the middle overs as India pegged the home side to par total on a flat pitch and a field that had short straight boundaries.

With India winning the T20I series the teams will now look forward to three ODIs that will start on Thursday at Trent Bridge.