Leeds (UK): A late blitz by Ravindra Jadeja wasn't enough as England inspired by a century by Joe Root beat India by 41 runs in the fifth and final one-day international at Headingley on Friday.
Chasing a stiff target of 295 to win, India were bowled out for 253 in 48. 3 overs.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2014/nov/jadeja-leeds.jpg" alt="Ravindra Jadeja" /> Ravindra Jadeja plays a shot during his 87-run innings during the fifth ODI against India at Headingley cricket ground, Leeds, England, on Friday.
In-form Indian opener Ajinkya Rahane (0) struggled today as he was dismissed for a nought but other batsmen, who got starts were guilty of not converting on an easy batting strip.
In a splendid rearguard action, Ravindra Jadeja hit an aggressive 87-run knock but was it was too late and only reduced the defeat margin. The southpaw hit nine fours and two sixes in his entertaining 68-ball innings.
Young batsman Ambati Rayudu came up with a fighting 53-run knock off 65 balls in India's resistance but his promising innings was cut short by Ben Stokes.
Opener Shikhar Dhawan scored 31 off 44 balls before being castled by Moeen Ali, who also got key wicket of Suresh Raina (18) as the off-spinner played a crucial role in turning the tide in his side's favour.
Till Mahendra Singh Dhoni was at the crease, India had their hopes alive but once the skipper fell in bizarre fashion, it was a matter of time for England to complete the win. Dhoni chased a widish ball from Steven Finn and sent it straight to Stokes, gifting away his wicket after making 29.
After that it was Jadeja, who kept England fielders busy, but could not pull off miraculous win.
Earlier, Joe Root marked his first ODI at his Yorkshire home ground with a century. Root's 113 was the cornerstone of England's 294 for seven.
World champions India had already won the series by going 3-0 up and it seemed they would restrict England to another meagre total when the hosts slumped to 117 for four off 29 overs after losing the toss.
But Root and Jos Buttler (49) repaired the damage with a fifth-wicket partnership of 108 and England's bowlers had even more of a target to defend thanks to recalled all-rounder Ben Stokes's unbeaten 33.
For England, it was initially an all-too-familiar story as India's pacemen make early breakthroughs.
The runs then dried up against India's spinners as wickets continued to fall.
England found themselves 39 for two off seven overs.
Alex Hales mistimed a pull off recalled paceman Umesh Yadav and holed out to midwicket for four.
Moeen Ali had been promoted to number three after making 67 at number seven in a nine-wicket thrashing by India at Edgbaston on Tuesday.
But left-hander Ali exited for nine when he sliced a wide length ball from Kumar to Yadav at third man.
Under-pressure England captain Alastair Cook, trying to break the shackles, made 46 before he top-edged a sweep against off-spinner Suresh Raina and was caught by India captain and wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2014/nov/joe-root-ton.jpg" alt="Joe Root" /> England's Joe Root celebrates after scoring a century during the fifth ODI against India at Headingley cricket ground, Leeds, England, on Friday.
Dhoni then stumped Cook's fellow left-hander Eoin Morgan (14) off Ravichandran Ashwin's off-spin.
But the re-introduction of Yadav saw Buttler uppercut him for six.
Buttler also pulled Ashwin for six and Root hoisted left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja over long-on for a six of his own.
England at last enjoyed a productive batting powerplay, scoring 55 runs for no wickets in five overs.
But Buttler fell when, having survived an lbw appeal, he set off for a non-existent single and was run out by opposing 'keeper Dhoni.
Root, though, slog-swept Jadeja -- whose nine overs cost 66 runs -- for six to complete a 105-ball century.
But Root's second and highest hundred in 36 ODIS ended when an intended 'ramp' off Mohammed Shami was caught by Ashwin at short fine leg.

Ravindra Jadeja's heroics went in vain as it was Joe Root century that inspired England to a consolation victory as India lost the 5th ODI by 41 runs. India, though, won the series 3-1

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Ravindra Jadeja's heroics went in vain as it was Joe Root century that inspired England to a consolation victory as India lost the 5th ODI by 41 runs. India, though, won the series 3-1

Leeds ODI: Jadeja's heroics in vain as England avoid whitewash

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Leeds ODI: Jadeja's heroics in vain as England avoid whitewash

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