And that's a wrap of India's tour of England. But the cricket never stops for these two teams. Next week, England play South Africa. Later in the week, India start an away series in West Indies. Rishabh Pant has released the champagne, and Arshdeep Singh gets to lift the trophy. All smiles everywhere, Dhawan does a thigh-slap, Kohli also does a mini fist-pump. A cute way to celebrate for all parties involved. Thank you everyone for your time! On behalf of everyone who brought the coverage to you, this is Sreshth Shah saying good bye.
6.43pm Winning captain Rohit Sharma: Very pleased. We came here, wanted to achieve something as a group in white-ball, and we did. Moving forward there are things we need to improve but pleased with the effort. We were here last time and we were beaten I remember. It is not easy place to come and win games but the way we played entire white-ball leg was fantastic. Wanted to do it for a long period of time, to achieve it was brilliant. (Today's game) It was a good pitch, but we knew it won't be easy if we lost wickets early. It happened, but the positive is that these guys haven't batted a long period in the middle overs and we got to see that from Rishabh and Hardik. Both of them were clinical - at no point did we feel they were panicking. They played great cricketing shots. (Chahal) He is a critical member, has so much experience, bowling in all sorts of formats. It was unfortunate that he missed the last T20 World Cup, but I'm pleased with how he has returned. Hardik as well, used the dimension well while bowling. One side was long and used the bouncers well. (Batting issues for top order?) Not really. But we do understand that it is something we need to look into. We played some not-so-good shots and that's what cost us wickets. But I still back those guys to come out good because they've done it for a long time. I've got nothing more to say since I understand the quality they bring to the team. (T20 World Cup and ODI World Cup - depth in squad?) we've got some solid guys in the bench who are looking for a long time to get a game. We want to create that bench strength because the kind of games we play, injuries are bound to happen and you need to manage workload. It is a conscious effort."
6.40pm Losing captain Jos Buttler: "I thought were were short on runs. We needed a good start with the ball so that was fantastic. We created chances but two guys took the game away from us, that's where we lost the game. Not concerned about batting. All summer, in T20s and ODIs we haven't batted our best. We just need to bat longer. (Topley) He's been brilliant. Got his opportunity, and delighted for him to do well. (Why only 7 overs for Topley) We were trying to search for ways to get wickets. It's been a tough schedule too. Reece is probably creaking a bit as well, so we need to manage our players. (Pant) When you give players a chance (missed stumping) they will hurt you. Hardik too, a half chance. The score we put up, we were going to need to take all our chances. (Being a keeper captain) I've found it fine to be honest. Missed a chance today but don't think its nothing to do with my captaincy. (Adil Rashid returning for SA series) We move on quickly. He's been one of our most important players so would be good to have him back."
6.37pm There is justice after all! Hardik Pandya takes the Player of the Series award after being edged out of the POTM award by Pant. "White ball is something very close to me," Pandya says. "I cherish my white-ball game. (England difficult in England) We all know England are such a good team. For us it was important to check ourselves out with our plans and the World Cup ahead. Was an ideal chance for us to step up and show what we have. (Keeping England to 259) It was important for me to come in and stop the runs and bowl as many dots. We took two wickets early but they recovered well and were cruising. I love short balls. I don't fancy people taking me on, it always gets me into the game. I don't mind getting hit for six sixes as long as I take wickets. (Livingstone) We are good pals but at the end of the day that's his game. He takes his chances on. (Pant) We know his talent. Today he played the situation. Our partnership changed the game and the way he finished the game was special."
6.33pm Presentation time. Who is the Player of the Match? Not Hardik! Rishabh Pant takes the award for his 113-ball 125 that included 16 fours and two sixes. He grabs the bottle of champagne and joins the broadcaster for a chat. He says, "hopefully I will remember my first ODI century for the rest of my life. But when I was in there, I was just focusing on one ball at a time. (Coming in at 25 for 2) When a team is under pressure and you bat like that, that's what you aspire to do. (Quick end to the chase) I enjoy playing in England and will do whatever I can do to keep enjoying my cricket. The more cricket you play, the more experience you get. (Bowling) It was the best pitch to bat on, so credit to our bowlers for keeping them to 260. Not only this game, they have bowled well through the series. Not only this series either, they have been excellent all year."
6.24pm Stick around for the presentation. Personally, I would love to hear what Buttler has to say. England will be disappointed having let this game slip, more so with India's three senior most batters in the shed with the score at 38/3.
Gaurav: "I liked how Pant preferred staying till the end over 6 fours in an over."
Afeef: "England start their ODI series against South Africa on Tuesday. Hopefully they can bat out their full 50 overs then."
6.18pm Spare a thought for Reece Topley. When he dismissed Dhawan, Rohit and Virat in quick succession, it looked like England would have a new cult hero, more so after his six-for in the second ODI. But two young padawans stood up when their team needed it the most. A 133-run partnership in just 115 balls between Pant (125*) and Hardik (55-ball 71) and Jadeja got the best seat in the house for a rampaging finish after that. Don't forget Hardik's four-for with the ball either. Good luck to the adjudicators for Player of the Match!
Manu Ajmani: "With that inning, Rishabh Pant has officially put his name in the hat to become a future legend. I will tell my kids that I saw the rise of this fantastic batter. From the quickfire 70 from 20 odd balls in the U-19 World Cup heroics where he started getting noticed to his brilliant test career so far, he has now shown the world he is there to stay for a long time! Well Played Champ!"
ARawat : "Feel happy that India closed 2 of the 3 series (draw of Tests ain't bad either....) however feel for VK. Wish him good luck for the next one - I'm sure he will rise like a Phoenix "
Dhruv: "I think this series has been a great advertisement for ODI cricket. As long as the bowlers are given something from the conditions, we see the unique nuance which has elements of both Test and T20 cricket." -- The first two ODIs were a bit of a damp squib, to be honest, both eventually one sided. This one almost was too after the three early wickets in the second innings - but Pant and Hardik ensured this had a different ending.
6.15pm Pant started the tour with a hundred in the Edgbaston Test. Finishes the tour with a hundred at Old Trafford. That century couldn't come in a win, but this century does. An iconic innings - and a partnership to remember between Pant and Hardik Pandya. England acknowledge the Pant effort, a few even patting him on the back. Jadeja is all smiles walking back with Pant.
Stat alert: Third ODI series defeat for England at home since 2015. All three had a series decider at Old Trafford.
Angad: "Haha! Brilliant! England. Ring Root to have a last go at Pant after dismissing him in both innings of the test match and Pant signed it off with the same shot that got him out in the test to show who is the boss "
Joe Root.
END OF OVER:42 | 21 Runs | IND: 257/5 (3 runs required from 48 balls, RR: 6.11, RRR: 0.37)
- Rishabh Pant121 (112b)
- Ravindra Jadeja7 (15b)
- David Willey7-0-58-0
- Craig Overton8-0-54-1
rahul: "Pant-Pandya. Kaif-Yuvraj. Yuvi gets out but Kaif finishing it. Pandya got out, Pant finishing it now. Nostalgia." -- Who is going to open their shirt though?
Venkat: "India practically played with 3 no.11's.. God Bless Pant and Hardik.."
Four needed. Can Pant hit a sixth four?