The series quite emphatically wrapped up, the domination gone into crank-it-up-as-far-as-we-can mode, India will now look to rub just that final bit of salt into the gaping England one-day international wounds when the two sides clash in the 5th ODI at Headingley.
Where to Watch Live
Get the first innings report HERE
The 5th ODI in Leeds is scheduled to start at 10.30 am local time (3 pm IST, 5.30 am ET) with live coverage coverage on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 3 (in Hindi) and Star Sports HD1 in India. The match can also be watched via free live streaming online in India HERE. Live Stream the match in the UK HERE or HERE, with TV coverage on Sky Sports 2. Listen to the Test match via BBC Radio 5 Live HERE. The match will be telecast live on ESPN3 in the US, while the action can also be Live Streamed HERE.
India could not have asked for a more easy, controlled and serene hat-trick of performances than what transpired in the last three ODIs, and with England playing like they are playing limited-overs international cricket for the first time in their careers, there only looks like being one result.
Having won the series comprehensively 3-0, after the first ODI was abandoned due to rain, India can now look for a clean sweep on Friday, with the manner in which they have played the one-dayers, at least, reducing the pain of the Test series defeat just that little bit.
"We were really hurt after the Test loss," said Rahane, who made a magnificent century in the fourth ODI. "The way we came back and played in the ODIs is really great. I learned a lot about my batting, how to approach Tests and ODIs and be ready mentally for any situation."
Rahane has been a success at the top of the order for India, opening the batting alongside Shikhar Dhawan, after Rohit Sharma was ruled out of through injury.
The pleasing aspect for India was also that Dhawan finally found his groove, smashing a wonderful unbeaten 97 en route to India's thumping nine-wicket win at Edgbaston.
Both the batsmen and bowlers have stepped up remarkably for India once the coloured clothes came on, while it has had the opposite effect on England.
Neither the bowlers nor the batsmen have been too effective against the India juggernaut, and England are struggling to find the right balance in their lineup. Too many batsmen have been a touch too circumspect at the start, and they will do well to take a leaf out of Moeen Ali's book, after the left-hander, playing his first match of the series, showed tremendous attacking qualities in the 4th ODI.
"I just think 'go out and play, you know, who cares' [mentality] -- take the pressure off myself and enjoy playing international cricket for my country," said Ali after his 51-ball 67. "It's something I go back to a lot and probably should do all the time.
"Take it to them -- there is no point in being the same and getting out the same way all the time.
"I'd rather get caught on the boundary or stumped trying to do something than knock it around all the time."
The likes of Alastair Cook, Joe Root, Gary Ballance and Ian Bell can certainly learn something from that, and playing aggressive cricket might be the best way to go for England if they are to salvage even a bit of pride from this series.
