Main into the second ODI between India and England right here in Cardiff, historical past on the Sophia Gardens — each current and distant — had favoured the chasing staff. Eight of the earlier 12 ODIs, together with 4 of the final 4, have been received by sides batting second.
For a quick whereas on Thursday (July 16, 2026), India threatened to upend it as Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna dismissed openers Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell with simply eight runs on the board in a 234-run pursuit.
However issues quickly regressed to the imply as Joe Root scored an unbeaten 99 (133b, 9×4) to hold England to a four-wicket, series-levelling success.
Root was on 98 when the hosts nonetheless wanted 19 runs. However Gus Atkinson (23 n.o., 16b, 3×4, 1×6) scored a lion’s share of these to usher the win with almost six overs to spare. The decider shall be performed at Lord’s in London this Sunday.
When Duckett edged the primary ball to wicket-keeper Ishan Kishan – who changed an in poor health Okay.L. Rahul within the XI – and Bethell was additionally caught behind after being pinned on the backfoot by Prasidh, the big diaspora viewers that had assembled smelt an in depth contest.
When skipper Harry Brook, who was all motion throughout his 16-ball keep for 16 runs, perished making an attempt one scoop too many, these hopes heightened.
However Root, after surviving a couple of testing overs early on, blunted the Indian assault with an ideal illustration of the best way to grind out a end result.
If a 41-run fourth-wicket partnership with Sam Curran (26, 31b, 4×4) stabilised proceedings, the 72-run affiliation with Will Jacks (30, 44b, 2×4) for the sixth wicket introduced England to the doorstep of victory.
A rush of blood price Jacks as he slapped a short-of-length supply from Gurnoor Brar to cowl. Shubman Gill introduced Bumrah for one final roll of the cube, but it surely was to not be.
English pacers stymie Indian batters
Earlier, after being requested to bat first, the Indian top-three made greater than half the runs and there was treasured little from the remaining besides Shreyas Iyer, who top-scored with 66 (71b, 5×4, 2×4).
4 of the top-six – Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Kishan and Washington Sundar – fell taking part in cross-batted strokes and throughout the road.
The house facet’s choice to herald speedsters Saqib Mahmood and Atkinson for Josh Tongue and Liam Dawson – who made 68 in Birmingham and bowled two overs of left-arm spin – proved proper as 9 of the ten wickets have been picked up by the pacers, together with 5 by Atkinson and Mahmood mixed.
Rohit made an unconvincing 26 (47b, 1×4, 1×6), throughout which he pulled Atkinson for a trademark six however was additionally dropped at deep backward square-leg on 5. Gill (31, 30b, 6×4) performed a couple of delectable leg-glances and flicks however drilled Atkinson straight to Ben Duckett at cowl.
Virat Kohli was assured throughout his 65-run knock (66b, 8×4), and his half-century from 50 balls was accomplished with a fierce straight drive off Curran. An tried heave over mid-wicket, nonetheless, ended up with the third-man fielder.
Within the thirty third over, a single Shreyas took within the cowl space injured a seagull. But it surely was India which got here out feathered and tarred, dropping its decrease middle-order in a heap.
Shreyas, although, performed admirably, and appeared most ease even towards short-pitched bowling, his perceived weak point. His half-century got here courtesy a neat six over fine-leg off Jofra Archer.
Nonetheless, when he was the ninth man out, there have been greater than six overs remaining. Prasidh departed three balls later to deliver the curtains down.
Bumrah, remained unbeaten on an unbeaten thrill-a-minute 20 (13b, 3×4, 1×6). In the long run, it was pure leisure and nothing extra.
Printed – July 17, 2026 02:07 am IST
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