Joe Root came within a single run of a hundred but still finished the job, guiding England to a four-wicket win over India in the second ODI at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. The result levels the three-match series 1-1 and sets up a decider — but it is a game India will feel they threw away with the bat.
After being put in, India were cruising at 178 for 3 and looked set for a total of 320 or more. Instead, they lost their last seven wickets for just 55 runs and were bowled out for a below-par 233. That was never going to be enough, and even though the chase had its nervy moments, Root's calm 99 saw England home with 33 balls to spare.
India throw it away after Kohli and Iyer fifties
England captain Harry Brook won the toss and chose to bowl, pointing to the grass on the pitch and hoping for early movement. It proved a smart call.
India lost Shubman Gill early for a brisk 31 off 30 balls, and Rohit Sharma made a scratchy 26 before falling. Ishan Kishan managed just 1. But Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer rebuilt with a strong fourth-wicket stand, and at 178 for 3 India were in complete control.
Then came the collapse. Kohli went for a classy 65 off 66 balls, and once he was gone, the innings fell apart. Washington Sundar (2), Axar Patel (1) and Shivam Dube (0) all came and went cheaply, and India crashed from 178 for 3 to 193 for 7.
Shreyas Iyer fought on for a battling 66 off 71 balls — including the fastest fifty of the innings, off 42 balls — and Jasprit Bumrah gave the tail a late lift with an unbeaten 20 off 13, smashing 18 off one Saqib Mahmood over. But Iyer was ninth out and India were bowled out for 233 in 44 overs, at least 60 or 70 short of a par score.
Jofra Archer (3-47) and Gus Atkinson (3-50) did the damage for England, with Saqib Mahmood, Sam Curran and Will Jacks chipping in.
Root holds England's chase together
Chasing 234, England did not have it easy either. Jasprit Bumrah struck early to reduce them to 51 for 2 in the powerplay, and India kept probing to stay in the contest.
But Joe Root did what Root does. Calm and unhurried, he anchored the chase, brought up his fifty and slowly pulled England towards the target. India kept fighting — Gurnoor Brar picked up two wickets and Bumrah bowled tightly — but no one could remove Root.
His 72-run stand with Will Jacks (30) for the sixth wicket effectively settled the result. Root eventually finished unbeaten on 99, one agonising run short of a hundred, as England reached their target with four wickets in hand and 33 balls to spare.
What it means for the series
For India, this is a frustrating result. Their bowling was excellent once again — Bumrah was sharp, and Gurnoor Brar bowled with fire — but the batting let them down badly. Being 178 for 3 and not even batting out 45 overs is the kind of collapse that will worry the team management.
For England, it is a big confidence boost after being outplayed in the first ODI. Their pace attack fired, and Root once again showed why he is the man they trust most in a chase.
The series is now level at 1-1, with everything to play for in the third and final ODI.
ENG vs IND 2nd ODI Result
India: 233 all out in 44 overs (Shreyas Iyer 66, Virat Kohli 65; Jofra Archer 3-47, Gus Atkinson 3-50)
England: 234/6 (Joe Root 99*, Will Jacks 30; Gurnoor Brar 2-62, Jasprit Bumrah 1-45)
Result: England won by 4 wickets (33 balls to spare); series level 1-1
The decider promises to be a cracker. India will look to their strong bowling to close out the series, while England will hope their batting can finish the job.
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