Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has questioned Team India’s bowling tactics after the visitors suffered a 27-run defeat to England in the third and final ODI at Lord’s. The loss handed England a 2-1 series victory, with Pathan highlighting India’s inability to dismiss Joe Root even once across the three-match contest as one of the biggest reasons behind the defeat.

England posted a commanding 387/3 after opting to bat first, thanks to another outstanding innings from Root. The experienced batter remained unbeaten on 74 off just 48 deliveries, smashing nine boundaries at a strike rate of 154.17. It was his third successive unbeaten score of the series, underlining his complete dominance over the Indian bowling attack.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Irfan Pathan praised Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for their impressive batting performances but expressed disappointment over India’s lack of planning against Root.

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“The good factor was Rohit getting runs when he was under pressure. Virat also scored well. It was a good fight. But we could not dismiss Joe Root in the whole series. There was not one bowler who could get him out. If you had a wrist-spinner in between, it could have been different. But if you have four frontline pacers, you must have the ability and planning to get Root out,” Pathan said.

Root finished the series with 249 runs in three matches, registering unbeaten scores of 76, 99, and 74. His consistency earned him the Player of the Series award as he played a decisive role in England’s ODI triumph. Pathan also criticised India’s new-ball bowling, noting that England’s openers were allowed to dominate from the outset. The hosts added a massive 192 runs for the opening wicket, with India claiming their first breakthrough only in the 31st over.

The former all-rounder further questioned India’s execution during the middle and death overs. According to him, the bowlers failed to maintain disciplined lines and lengths while allowing England’s batters to dictate the game.

“I was most disappointed with the plans during the death overs. The stage was set for Jos Buttler, and he completely took the game away. We know he does not open his hands entirely, and his reach outside the off stump is limited. But we did not bowl wide yorkers at all. That was basic planning which was missing,” Irfan Pathan added.

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India conceded 126 runs in the final 10 overs, including a staggering 82 in the last five. Although Rohit Sharma’s brilliant 138 and Virat Kohli’s fluent 74 powered India to 360/7, the late bowling collapse ultimately proved too costly, leaving the visitors 27 runs short and surrendering the series to England.