India could not find a way to dismiss Joe Root throughout the three‑match ODI series, as the England batsman amassed 249 runs without losing his wicket. That resilience mirrors a broader belief that England’s 50‑over side is finally on an upward trajectory after a few difficult years, including a disastrous showing at the 2023 World Cup.
Recent performances suggest the team is beginning to turn a corner. Under the captaincy of Harry Brook, England have now secured back‑to‑back series victories. The most recent win came against the world‑number‑one Indians, clinched in a high‑scoring encounter at Lord’s, and it followed a series triumph in Sri Lanka earlier this year. In both 2‑1 series victories, England displayed the character to rebound from a 1‑0 deficit and prevail in the decisive match, a quality that was missing during the bleak November period.
The mood around the ODI squad has improved dramatically. A 3‑0 loss in New Zealand earlier in the season, which was more memorable for Brook’s altercation with a nightclub bouncer than for any on‑field heroics, marked England’s sixth defeat in seven ODI series.
At that time, pundits were speculating whether England were headed for a second consecutive World Cup disappointment in 2027, or even whether they would qualify at all. With England languishing eighth in the ICC rankings, and only the top nine teams (including co‑hosts South Africa, already qualified) guaranteed a direct World Cup berth, there was a genuine fear of being forced into a qualifying tournament. The recent series wins have eased that anxiety. While England are not yet back to the dominant levels of 2019 – when they were arguably the best one‑day side on the planet – they are certainly becoming a competitive unit again.
Highlights from the victory over India included a near‑200‑run partnership between Ben Duckett and the newly‑promoted opener Jacob Bethell at Lord’s. Taking advantage of an Indian attack that was missing its spearhead Jasprit Bumrah due to injury, Duckett and Bethell combined aggression with composure. Duckett smashed 141, surpassing Sir Vivian Richards for the highest individual ODI score at Lord’s, and after a recent Test century against New Zealand he appears to have rediscovered his form following a turbulent Ashes campaign.
Bethell complemented his 91 with a crucial wicket – that of Rohit Sharma – during India’s otherwise solid chase. Head coach Brendon McCullum had nudged Brook to bring the left‑arm spinner into the attack, a move that paid dividends.
The partnership between McCullum and Brook, which may eventually be nicknamed “Baz and Haz,” seems to be working well; England had already beaten India 4‑0 in the preceding T20 series, propelling them to the top of the T20 rankings. There is a growing argument that Brook should focus solely on white‑ball captaincy, rather than also leading the Test side, to maximise his impact.
Meanwhile, Joe Root – a potential successor to Ben Stokes as Test captain – was the standout performer for England throughout the ODI series. His ability to innovate, rotate the strike, and rebuild innings was evident in three successive unbeaten knocks: 76* at Edgbaston, 99* in the second match, and 74* in the third, which helped England post a record 387‑3, the highest List A total ever recorded at Lord’s. Root’s class highlighted the fragility of England’s middle order in the first two games, where several batsmen fell to rash shots on the pitches in Birmingham and South Wales. Brook’s own 16‑run cameo at Sophia Gardens was frantic and underscored the need for greater composure.
After the match, Brook admitted that England must learn from Root’s measured approach as they build toward the World Cup next autumn, especially on surfaces that offer some assistance to bowlers. Team selection also sparked debate.
England opted for a spin‑heavy XI in the opening match against India, likely influenced by the success of that strategy in Sri Lanka. Only two specialist seamers – Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue – were named alongside all‑rounder Sam Curran.
Liam Dawson contributed a vital half‑century and shared a century partnership with Root after England slumped from 61‑0 to 107‑6, but many felt a fourth seamer would have been more appropriate, given the presence of leg‑spinner Adil Rashid, off‑spinner Will Jacks and left‑arm option Bethell. For the final two ODIs, England adjusted by dropping Dawson and adding an extra pacer, a move that aligns with the expected pace‑friendly conditions of the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Archer, who believes he is bowling as consistently as ever, and Curran appear to have cemented their places in the side. Since his recall last summer, Curran has added a new dimension with his left‑arm angle and deceptive slower balls, taking three wickets in six deliveries at the death to snuff out India’s hopes at Lord’s. His skill set offers a fresh alternative to the right‑arm seam‑dominant attack England employed during the ill‑fated Champions Trophy campaign of early 2025, McCullum’s first tournament as white‑ball director.
Other pace options knocking on the door include Josh Tongue, Gus Atkinson, Saqib Mahmood, the fit‑again Brydon Carse and, health permitting, Jamie Overton. One of them could eventually fill the role of middle‑overs enforcer that Liam Plunkett provided during the triumphant 2019 World Cup run.
Looking ahead, England will host Sri Lanka for a three‑match ODI series in September, then travel to Australia in November and South Africa in January 2027 for further tri‑series. These fixtures are now viewed with optimism rather than dread, thanks to the positive influence of Brook’s leadership, McCullum’s strategic guidance and Root’s inspirational batting.
In summary, England’s ODI fortunes have begun to improve. After a period of disappointment, the side now boasts a more confident batting line‑up, a clearer bowling strategy and a leadership group that appears to be clicking.
If they can maintain this momentum, England should secure a direct World Cup qualification and become a genuine contender on the world stage.