India could not find a way to dismiss Joe Root throughout the three‑match ODI series, as the England stalwart amassed 249 runs without losing his wicket. That resilience mirrors Root’s belief that England’s 50‑over side is finally on an upward trajectory.
After several disappointing years in the format – highlighted by a disastrous performance at the 2023 World Cup – there are now clear signs that the team is turning a corner. The momentum began to build with back‑to‑back series victories under the captaincy of Harry Brook. First came a hard‑won series win in Sri Lanka in January, followed by a dramatic triumph over world‑number‑one India, sealed by a high‑scoring finale at Lord’s. In both series England fell behind 0‑1 but rallied to claim the decisive third match, demonstrating a newfound fighting spirit that was missing in November.
The atmosphere around the ODI squad has shifted dramatically. A 3‑0 loss in New Zealand earlier in the year, a tour remembered more for Brook’s altercation with a nightclub bouncer than for any cricketing achievement, marked England’s sixth defeat in seven ODI series. The result sparked a chorus of speculation: would England endure another miserable World Cup in 2027, or would they even qualify for the tournament at all?
At the time England were languishing in eighth place in the ICC rankings, and with only the top nine teams – including co‑hosts South Africa, who were already qualified – guaranteed a direct berth, the prospect of a qualifying tournament loomed ominously. That fear has now been allayed. England are beginning to resemble a fully functional unit again.
They may not yet have reached the dominance of the 2019 World Cup‑winning side, but they are certainly competitive and capable of challenging the best teams. The win over India featured a near‑200‑run partnership between Ben Duckett and newcomer opening partner Jacob Bethell in the series‑deciding match at Lord’s.
With India missing their spearhead Jasprit Bumrah due to injury, the hosts took advantage of a wayward Indian attack. Duckett’s 141 eclipsed Sir Vivian Richards’ record for the highest ODI score at Lord’s, and after a recent Test century against New Zealand he appears to have rediscovered his best form following a turbulent Ashes campaign.
Bethell complemented Duckett’s aggression with a composed 91 and claimed the crucial wicket of Rohit Sharma during India’s chase. His dismissal came after head coach Brendon McCullum encouraged Brook to unleash the left‑arm spinner, a tactical move that paid dividends. The partnership between McCullum and Brook – likely to be dubbed "Baz and Haz" by fans – is bearing fruit, especially after England’s 4‑0 white‑ball thrashing of India in the preceding T20 series, which propelled them to the top of the T20 rankings. There is a growing argument that Brook should focus solely on leading the white‑ball sides, rather than juggling the Test captaincy as well.
Meanwhile, Root – a potential successor to Ben Stokes as Test skipper – was the standout performer for England across the ODI series. His ability to innovate, rotate the strike, and rebuild innings was evident in three consecutive unbeaten knocks: 76* at Edgbaston, 99* in the second game, and 74* in the third, which helped England post a record List A total of 387‑3 at Lord’s. Root’s class lifted the team, even as several teammates fell to rash shots on the challenging surfaces of Birmingham and South Wales.
Brook, after a frenetic 16‑run cameo at Sophia Gardens, praised Root’s composure and suggested that England must learn from his strike‑rotation as they prepare for the World Cup next autumn. The side still shows vulnerability on slower pitches, a trait reminiscent of the Test team, and the composition of the XI remains a work in progress. England entered the series with a spin‑heavy lineup, likely influenced by the success of that approach in Sri Lanka.
Only two specialist seamers – Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue – were selected alongside all‑rounder Sam Curran. While Liam Dawson contributed a valuable half‑century and a century partnership with Root after England collapsed from 61‑0 to 107‑6, his inclusion may have been a misstep, as the hosts appeared to need an extra paceman. The spin department already featured Adil Rashid’s leg‑breaks, Will Jacks’ off‑spin and Bethell’s left‑arm deliveries. For the final two matches England adjusted the balance, dropping Dawson and adding another seamer, a sensible move with the upcoming World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia expected to favour pace.
Archer, who feels his bowling is as consistent as ever, and Curran, who has added a new dimension since his recall last summer, are now seen as fixtures in the side. Curran’s left‑arm angle and deceptive slower balls were instrumental in dismantling India’s chase at Lord’s, where he claimed three wickets in six balls at the death.
The pace pool now includes Tongue, Gus Atkinson, Saqib Mahmood, the fit‑again Brydon Carse and, when fit, Jamie Overton. One of them is likely to become the middle‑overs enforcer that Liam Plunkett was during the 2019 triumph. The future of Dawson also raises questions; at 38 by the 2027 World Cup, will he still be in contention, or will England prioritize younger spin‑bowling all‑rounders such as Rehan Ahmed and James Coles? England’s ODI resurgence can be further gauged when they host Sri Lanka for a three‑match series in September, followed by tours of Australia in November and South Africa in January 2027.
These fixtures are now anticipated with optimism rather than dread, thanks to the positive influence of Brook, McCullum and Root. The recent T20 series, which England won 4‑0, has already restored them to the top of the rankings, and the 2‑1 ODI series win over India signals that the white‑ball revival is well underway.