There was for all purposes just one real fretful moment for India in England’s chase of a 357-run target in the third ODI in Ahmedabad. In six overs, England had blurred away to 60 without loss, and the left-handed dasher Ben Duckett was already on 34. It’s when India’s captain Rohit Sharma intervened.
Duckett had been limping from the start, with a groin niggle, but crash-landing the ball to all parts with his stand-and-deliver routine. After he smashed four consecutive seam-up balls from Arshdeep Singh, Rohit had enough at mid-off. With his characteristic shrug of disdain, he called the attention of Arshdeep, gesturing to his thigh. The point was made: that Duckett is struggling with a groin injury that hampers his movement and balls should be crafted keeping that in mind. Not offer balls that he can just stand and whack. Arshdeep got the message and slipped in a slower ball off the final ball of that over. A nod of approval came from Rohit.
Arshdeep started his next over as well with a slower delivery that was patted back by Duckett. The next ball was another change of pace — the knuckle-ball, and this time Duckett was sucked into a big heave-ho. And as the ball settled into his palms, a happy Rohit touched his head with his index-finger, indicating the rewards of using the brain.
