Main into the second ODI between India and England right here in Cardiff, historical past on the Sophia Gardens — each latest and distant — had favoured the chasing workforce. Eight of the earlier 12 ODIs, together with 4 of the final 4, had been received by sides batting second.
For a short 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 practically six overs to spare. The decider will probably be performed at Lord’s in London this Sunday.
When Duckett edged the primary ball to wicket-keeper Ishan Kishan – who changed an ailing Okay.L. Rahul within the XI – and Bethell was additionally caught behind after being pinned on the backfoot by Prasidh, the massive diaspora viewers that had assembled smelt a detailed contest.
When skipper Harry Brook, who was all motion throughout his 16-ball keep for 16 runs, perished attempting 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 how one can 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, nevertheless it 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 resolution 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 had 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, nevertheless, ended up with the third-man fielder.
Within the thirty third over, a single Shreyas took within the cowl space injured a seagull. However it 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.
Nevertheless, when he was the ninth man out, there have been greater than six overs remaining. Prasidh departed three balls later to convey the curtains down.
Bumrah, remained unbeaten on an unbeaten thrill-a-minute 20 (13b, 3×4, 1×6). Ultimately, it was pure leisure and nothing extra.
Revealed – July 17, 2026 02:07 am IST
