📅July 16, 2026 | By Pulse India News Desk
Joe Root produced a calm and commanding unbeaten 99 as England chased down India’s 233 to win the second ODI by four wickets in Cardiff and level the three-match series 1-1.
| Match | England vs India, 2nd ODI |
| Venue | Sophia Gardens, Cardiff |
| India | 233 all out in 44 overs |
| England | 235/6 in 44.1 overs |
| Result | England won by 4 wickets |
| Series | Series level at 1-1 |
| Player of the Match | Joe Root – 99* from 133 balls |
England bounced back from their defeat in the opening ODI with a four-wicket victory at Sophia Gardens. Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson took three wickets each as India collapsed from a strong position to 233 all out.
The chase was far from straightforward after England slipped to 53/3, but Root controlled the innings with an unbeaten 99. Useful contributions from Sam Curran, Will Jacks and Atkinson helped England cross the line with 35 balls remaining and set up a winner-takes-all finale at Lord’s.
India Innings: Kohli and Iyer’s Work Undone by Late Collapse
Shubman Gill gave India a positive start with 31 from 30 balls, but Rohit Sharma struggled for timing during his 26 from 47 deliveries. Virat Kohli looked fluent from the moment he arrived, striking eight boundaries in a composed 65, while Shreyas Iyer added 66 from 71 balls.
Kohli and Iyer shared a 67-run fourth-wicket partnership and carried India to 178/3 in the 32nd over. From that position, a total close to 300 appeared possible, but Archer’s dismissal of Kohli completely changed the momentum.
Archer then removed Axar Patel and Shivam Dube in quick succession as India lost four wickets for 15 runs. Atkinson and Saqib Mahmood continued the pressure, while only Jasprit Bumrah offered late resistance with an unbeaten 20 from 13 balls.
India were eventually dismissed for 233 in 44 overs. Archer finished with 3/47 and Atkinson claimed 3/50, while Mahmood took two wickets as England’s seamers shared eight of the ten dismissals.
England Innings: Root Guides the Chase After Early Trouble
England’s chase began badly when Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Ben Duckett with the first ball. Prasidh Krishna removed Jacob Bethell for 4, and Gurnoor Brar then ended Harry Brook’s attacking but uncertain innings for 16.
At 53/3, India had an opportunity to put England under serious pressure. Root, however, assessed the conditions perfectly. He began carefully, absorbed the movement offered by India’s seamers and kept the chase under control through regular strike rotation.
Sam Curran contributed 26 before falling to Shivam Dube, while Jos Buttler made 17. Root then added a match-defining 72 with Will Jacks, whose patient 30 helped England move within sight of the target.
Gurnoor dismissed Jacks with 37 still required, but Atkinson played an excellent finishing hand. He struck an unbeaten 23 from 16 balls and hit the winning runs as England reached 235/6 in 44.1 overs.
Root ended unbeaten on 99 from 133 deliveries, with nine fours. He missed his century by one run but completed an innings of far greater value by carrying England through the difficult phases of the chase.
Brief Scores
India 233 all out in 44 overs lost to England 235/6 in 44.1 overs by four wickets.
India – Top Batters: Shreyas Iyer 66, Virat Kohli 65, Shubman Gill 31
England – Top Bowlers: Jofra Archer 3/47, Gus Atkinson 3/50, Saqib Mahmood 2/52
England – Top Batters: Joe Root 99*, Will Jacks 30, Sam Curran 26
India – Top Bowlers: Gurnoor Brar 2/67, Axar Patel 1/35, Jasprit Bumrah 1/45
Player of the Match
Root entered after the first ball of the chase and remained at the crease until victory was secured.
He adapted to the difficult batting conditions, rebuilt after England slipped to 53/3 and formed useful partnerships with Curran, Jacks and Atkinson.
Although he finished one run short of a century, Root’s unbeaten innings was the defining performance in England’s series-levelling victory.
Key Records and Statistics
- First England batter stranded on 99: Joe Root became the first England batter to finish unbeaten on 99 in an ODI and the 17th batter overall.
- Five successive fifty-plus scores: Root registered his fifth consecutive score of 50 or more in ODI cricket.
- Root’s chase average: Root averages 91.59 in successful ODI run chases, the second-highest among batters with at least 2,000 runs.
- Cardiff record: England have won 11 and lost four ODIs at Sophia Gardens, giving them a win-loss ratio of 2.75 at the venue.
- Kohli’s consistency: Virat Kohli recorded his seventh fifty-plus score in his last nine ODI innings.
What the Captains Said
Harry Brook – England Captain
Brook praised England’s bowlers for recovering after India reached a strong position and highlighted the spells from Sam Curran and Will Jacks, which helped control the middle overs.
He also described Root as a phenomenal player and praised his ability to rotate the strike and deliver when England need him most.
Shubman Gill – India Captain
Gill admitted India were disappointed after failing to capitalise on a position from which they expected to score around 300.
He said the lower middle order needed to build partnerships and acknowledged that Washington Sundar’s injury forced India to adjust their bowling plans.
Series Level Ahead of Lord’s Decider
India made light work of a target above 250 in the opening ODI, but England’s response in Cardiff has brought the series back to life.
The main concern for India is the lack of batting consistency. They have suffered collapses in consecutive matches, while Rohit is yet to find his rhythm at the top of the order.
England will take confidence from the performance of their pace attack and Root’s ability to control a difficult chase. However, the early loss of three wickets showed that their top order remains vulnerable against India’s new-ball bowlers.
Final Verdict
India had the opportunity to take control of the series when Kohli and Iyer carried them to 178/3, but a major batting collapse left England with a manageable target.
Archer and Atkinson led an excellent seam-bowling performance before Root produced a classic ODI chase. His unbeaten 99 ensured England recovered from 53/3 and remained in control despite losing wickets at regular intervals.
England’s four-wicket victory levelled the series and set up a winner-takes-all final ODI at Lord’s. India must improve their batting consistency, while England will look to complete the comeback on Sunday.
