England batsman Ian Bell refused to take all the credit after his unbeaten 113 sealed a comfortable seven-wicket win over India in the final one-day international.

India still finished with a 3-2 series win, but England at least ended on a high as Bell steered them towards a target of 227 for the loss of just three wickets in Dharamsala.

His fine performance with the bat earned the man-of-the-match award, but Bell insists the bowlers deserved much of the praise as Tim Bresnan (4-45), Steven Finn and James Tredwell worked through India's order.

England take final ODI

"For me, the longer I stayed out there the easier it got," he said.

Step forward

"But all credit to the bowlers. Chasing 220 was a nice target to go at."

Bell hopes the century has staked his claim for a regular spot at the top of the order.

"To be not out at the end of the game was a massive step forward for me," he said.

"I've been up and down the order but I love opening the batting, and hopefully I can continue to do so for a while now."