Joe Root struck an unbeaten 99 to steer England to a four-wicket victory over India in the second one-day international at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, leveling the three-match series at 1-1. The win, achieved with 35 balls to spare, sets up a series decider at Lord's on Sunday.
England's Chase and Root's Masterclass
Chasing 234 for victory, England slipped to 94 for four inside the 20th over, with Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, and Sam Curran all falling cheaply. However, Root anchored the innings with a composed 133-ball knock, hitting nine boundaries. He found support from Will Jacks, who contributed 30 off 44 balls in a crucial 72-run stand for the sixth wicket. Gus Atkinson then added an unbeaten 23 to guide England home.
Root was left stranded on 99 when Atkinson hit the winning runs, but the former captain expressed no disappointment, saying, "Getting the win is what it's all about. Sometimes you have to scrap and win ugly."
India's Innings and England's Bowling
Earlier, England captain Harry Brook won the toss and opted to field first. Jofra Archer led the bowling attack with figures of three for 47, while Gus Atkinson took three for 50 and Saqib Mahmood chipped in with two for 52. India were bowled out for 233 in 44 overs.
Virat Kohli top-scored for India with 65 off 66 balls, while Shreyas Iyer made 66 off 71 deliveries, including five fours and two sixes. India were well-placed at 104 for one in the 18th over, but a middle-order collapse saw them lose wickets regularly. Jasprit Bumrah's late cameo of 20 off the final over helped India reach a respectable total.
Series Decider at Lord's
The victory was a much-needed boost for England, who sit eighth in the ODI rankings and are rebuilding ahead of the 2027 World Cup. Root remains central to their plans, having shown his mastery of 50-over cricket. Meanwhile, reports in the Indian Express suggest that India opener Rohit Sharma may have played his last ODI, with the Lord's match tipped to be his farewell. Sharma made a scratchy 26 in Cardiff and was dropped early on five.
