Cardiff: Joe Root produced a match-winning unbeaten 99 as England defeated India by four wickets in the second ODI at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, on Wednesday to level the three-match series 1-1. The series will now be decided in the third and final ODI.
Asked to bat first after losing the toss, India were bowled out for 233 in 44 overs. Captain Shubman Gill top-scored with 31, while Rohit Sharma (26), Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer made useful starts but failed to convert them into substantial innings. A middle-order collapse dented India’s hopes of posting a competitive total, though Jasprit Bumrah chipped in with an unbeaten 20 lower down the order.
England’s chase of 234 got off to a shaky start, but Root anchored the innings with a composed knock. The veteran batter found support from Will Jacks (30) and Gus Atkinson as England steadily rebuilt the innings.
Root remained unbeaten on 99 off 133 balls, striking eight fours, to steer the hosts home with four wickets in hand and level the series.
For India, Gurnoor Brar claimed two wickets, while the other bowlers picked up one wicket each. However, they were unable to prevent England from completing a successful chase.
