India vs England 2nd ODI : India clinched the ODI series against England with a thrilling four-wicket win in the 2nd ODI at Cuttack. Rohit Sharma’s majestic 119 off 90 balls was the highlight of the match, putting India in command despite a late collapse that made the chase more dramatic than expected. With this victory, India secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
India vs England 2nd ODI : India Wins by 4 Wickets, Seals Series
Table of Contents
Rohit Sharma’s Masterclass Leads the Charge
Rohit Sharma, who had been struggling for form, silenced all doubts with an incredible knock that showcased his impeccable timing and power-hitting abilities. The Indian captain reached his 32nd ODI century in just 76 balls, smashing seven sixes and nine fours. His innings laid a solid foundation for India’s chase of 306 runs.
The opening partnership between Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill was explosive, adding 136 runs in just 100 balls. Gill, who scored 60 off 52 balls, fell to a yorker from Jamie Overton, but by then, India had taken firm control of the game. Virat Kohli’s return to the playing XI was short-lived as he fell to Adil Rashid for a low score, but Shreyas Iyer stepped up to support Rohit in the middle overs.
India’s Late-Order Stumble
Despite being in a dominant position, India’s chase became tense towards the end. With just 30 runs needed from 60 balls, India lost wickets in quick succession, including Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul, leading to nervous moments in the dressing room. However, Ravindra Jadeja kept his cool and sealed the win with a stylish boundary through covers.
England’s Batting Performance: Root Holds the Fort
England posted a competitive total of 305 in 49.5 overs, thanks to crucial contributions from Joe Root (86), Harry Brook (60), and Jos Buttler (52). The visitors got off to a flying start with Phil Salt (51) and Ben Duckett (50) putting on 81 runs for the first wicket. However, England lost wickets at crucial junctures, preventing them from reaching a bigger total.
Varun Chakravarthy, making his ODI debut, impressed by breaking the opening stand and picking up key wickets in the middle overs. Harshit Rana and Hardik Pandya also played instrumental roles in restricting England’s scoring in the death overs.
Key Takeaways from the Match
- Rohit Sharma’s Form: His century couldn’t have come at a better time, answering critics and securing India’s series win.
- Bowling Discipline: Despite the flat track, Indian bowlers managed to pull things back in the latter half of England’s innings.
- England’s Missed Opportunities: Several batters got good starts but failed to convert them into big scores.
- India’s Middle-Order Woes: The lower middle order needs to step up and avoid late collapses in future matches.
India will aim for a clean sweep in the third and final ODI, while England will look to salvage some pride before heading into the Champions Trophy. With the series already in the bag, India might consider making a few changes to test their bench strength.
Rohit Sharma deservedly won the Player of the Match award for his match-winning innings, a performance that fans in Cuttack will remember for years to come.
FAQs
What was the result of the 2nd ODI between India and England?
India won by four wickets.
Who was the top scorer for India?
Rohit Sharma with 119 runs.
