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How did the 2nd ODI between England and India go? - Review, Turning Points & more

England and India locked horns in the second ODI at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, on Thursday, July 16. After winning the toss, England captain Harry Brook opted to bowl first, a decision that paid dividends as the hosts bounced back from their defeat in the series opener with a four-wicket win to level the three-match series 1-1.

India got off to a steady start through Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma before the former departed for 31. Virat Kohli then stitched a crucial partnership with Shreyas Iyer after Ishan Kishan fell cheaply. Kohli looked in sublime touch, scoring 65 off 66 deliveries, while Shreyas played a composed knock of 66 from 71 balls.

However, England fought back brilliantly once the duo departed. The visitors lost six wickets for just 40 runs as Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson led the charge. Jasprit Bumrah's unbeaten 20 helped India push their total to 233 before they were bowled out in 44 overs.

Chasing 234, England suffered an early setback as Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Ben Duckett with the very first ball of the innings. India continued to chip away with wickets as Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Jos Buttler, and Will Jacks all failed to convert their starts.

However, Joe Root once again stood tall for England. The experienced batter anchored the chase with a composed unbeaten 99 off 133 balls. Gus Atkinson provided the finishing touches with a quickfire 23 not out off 16 balls, helping England chase down the target in 44.1 overs with four wickets to spare.

Top batting performance of the match: Joe Root

Joe Root was the backbone of England's chase. After the early wickets, the former captain held the innings together with his trademark calmness and excellent strike rotation. Although he missed out on a century by just one run, his unbeaten 99 proved to be the difference between the two sides.

Root struck nine boundaries during his match-winning knock and ensured England never lost control of the chase despite regular wickets falling at the other end.

Top bowling performance of the match: Jofra Archer

Jofra Archer produced a superb spell with the new and old ball to derail India's innings. The right-arm speedster claimed 3/47 in 10 overs, dismissing Virat Kohli, Axar Patel, and Shivam Dube at crucial moments. His spell triggered India's lower-order collapse and played a key role in restricting the visitors to a below-par total.

Records Broken and Major Milestones Achieved

• Second-highest average is successful ODI chases (2000+ runs) - 91.59 by Joe Root
• Most Runs in ODIs Since 2025 - 1230 – Joe Root (England)*
• Longest winning streak for India vs England in ODIs - 6 - 2022 -2026 (Streak Ended Today)
• Root became the first England batter to remain unbeaten on 99 in an ODI. 

Who won the Player of the Match award?

Joe Root was named Player of the Match for playing a splendid knock to take his side over the line. 

When is the next match?

The third ODI takes place at Lord's Cricket Ground in London on Sunday, July 19.