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Second ODI, Cardiff
India 233 (44 overs) Air 66 (71); Archer 3-47
England 235-6 (44.1 overs) root 99 * (133); Bra 2-67
England won by four wickets.
England needed Joe Root’s saving grace again as his 99 not out 234 led India to a tough chase in Cardiff as they set up a one-day international series against India.
With wickets constantly falling around him, Root gave a masterclass in adapting to the difficult conditions and guided England to their target in 5.5 overs, but Gus Atkinson was denied a century as he hit the winning boundary with three runs to win.
After Ben Duquette was dismissed from the first ball of the innings, Root was immediately tasked with rebuilding a shaky start.
Duckett was caught behind Jasprit Bumrah, Jacob Bethel fell in the same way to Prasid Krishna for four and after a third-wicket stand of 45, frenetic captain Harry Brooke was scrambling at the keeper for 16.
Root was indomitable and held firm after the departures of Sam Curran and Jos Buttler, partnering Will Jacks and Gus Atkinson before providing valuable support in the bat-and-ball handshake contest to line England up.
Earlier, Virat Kohli looked in dire straits for 65 but England’s bowlers fought back brilliantly to take the last seven wickets for just 55 runs as India were bowled out for 233 and crucially lost their six innings.
Kohli guided them to 178-3 in the 32nd over as the visitors went on a remarkable run, but a top edge from Jofra Archer’s third over proved crucial.
The dismissal sparked life into England’s seamen as Saqib Mahmood removed Washington Sundar in the next over and archers Axar Patel and Shivam Dubey finished with a combined total of 3-47.
Shreyas Iyer threatened a late rally with 66 but Atkinson took two wickets in three balls to complete a fine bowling performance – Atkinson took 3-50 and Mahmood 2-52.
The series decider will be played at Lord’s on Sunday after England dominated the previous T20 series 4-0.
