Introduction
In an exhilarating second ODI at Cuttack, India defeated England by four wickets, sealing the series with one game remaining. The match saw a stunning century from captain Rohit Sharma, who led from the front to ensure a successful chase of England’s competitive total of 304 runs.
England Sets a Challenging Target
After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, England got off to a good start, with openers Jonny Bairstow and Phil Salt contributing 48 runs for the first wicket. However, Bairstow was bowled by Mohammed Siraj, who brought in Joe Root. Root, a veteran batsman, kept the innings going, making 69 runs off 77 balls. Ben Duckett also made a substantial contribution, scoring 65.
Despite their strong partnership, England struggled to accelerate in the middle overs, as Indian spinners kept tight lines. Ravi Jadeja was the highlight of the bowlers, collecting 3/35 in his 10-over performance, while rookie Varun Chakaravarthy made important breakthroughs. England’s lower-order contributions, especially a quickfire 38 from Jos Buttler, enabled them achieve a competitive total of 304/8 in 50 overs.
Rohit Sharma’s Masterclass Leads India’s Chase
Chasing 305, India began confidently, with openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill putting on a 95-run partnership. Gill had a controlled knock of 50 runs before being removed, but his innings laid the groundwork for the chase. Rohit, with his typical grace, overpowered the English bowlers with brilliant strokeplay.
Virat Kohli, who joined Rohit at the crease, provided critical support with 43 runs before falling to Adil Rashid. As wickets fell at the other end, Rohit stayed steadfast, scoring a century in just 92 balls. His 119-run innings, complete with 14 boundaries and three sixes, was important in India’s victorious pursuit.
Despite a brief collapse in the final stages of the innings, Hardik Pandya’s quickfire 32 off 18 balls helped India cross the finish line with 34 balls to spare, finishing at 308/6.
Key Takeaways from the Match:
✅ Rohit Sharma’s Captain’s Knock: Leading from the front, Rohit’s century was instrumental in India’s win.
✅ Jadeja’s All-Round Impact: With three wickets and a crucial late cameo, Jadeja was a key contributor.
✅ England’s Missed Opportunities: England failed to capitalize on strong starts and lost momentum in the final overs.
✅ India’s Middle-Order Concerns: While the top order delivered, the middle-order collapses remain a slight worry.
What’s Next?
With this victory, India enjoys a commanding 2-0 lead in the three-match series. England, on the other hand, would hope to preserve pride in the last ODI. As the cricket world prepares for next tournaments, India’s series victory enhances their confidence and strengthens their preparations for future challenges.
