Root says England ‘learning on the job’ in ODIs after 99 not out against India

Joe Root said his younger England team-mates were having to “learn on the job” in one-day international cricket because of a lack of experience of the 50-over games.

Veteran batsman Root, compiling his second fifty of the series, demonstrated his enduring class with a chanceless 99 not out as England beat India by four wickets in the second ODI in Cardiff on Thursday (July 16, 2026) to level a three-match campaign at 1-1. But before this morale-boosting win, which sets up a series decider at Lord’s on Sunday (July 19, 2026), England had lost 14 of their previous 20 ODIs.

In domestic Cricket, the One-Day Cup is played at the same time as the Hundred, with many of England’s rising starts not getting the kind of grounding in 50-over cricket common to players of Root’s generation. “I think that’s one of the biggest challenges for this team and the young guys coming through,” Root, 35, told reporters at Sophia Gardens.

“Not just now, but in the next little while, anyone coming into this team does not have the wealth of experience and understanding of 50-over cricket because we are not exposed to it any more. There is not that element of grounding that happens before you get to this level, which happens elsewhere around the world, so it’s understanding that there are going to be times where guys have to learn on the job and they have to learn quickly.”

Root faced 133 balls as he became the first England batsman to score 99 not out in an ODI. His innings was far removed from the fireworks associated with England’s triumphant 50-over World Cup-winning team of 2019.

But Root, who played in that side, said, “You’ve got to be brave and know that you can absorb pressure, because you have always got more time than you think and you can really make things up. “Some guys will get out their tricks, sometimes you’ll be on a pitch where 400 is a par score which can happen.”

‘Doing it ugly’

He added, “But the hardest bit for guys coming through in English cricket is that when you find yourself in a situation like that, a wicket like that, can you find a way of doing it ugly and just getting over the line?”

Root was on course to complete his 21st ODI century until Gus Atkinson hit three fours and a six in his unbeaten 23. “I told him (Atkinson) to just get it done,” said Root after England recovered from 94-4 and 125-5 to beat the world’s number one ODI side. “It’s all about winning and there’s no better feeling in Cricket than being there at the end when you chase something down.”

Root also praised an “exceptional” England attack led by fast bowler Jofra Archer for restricting India to 233 all out. England are currently eighth in the ODI rankings and need to make sure they stay there at least to secure automatic qualification for next year’s ODI World Cup in southern Africa.

But Root said England’s win on Thursday (July 16, 2026) said “a lot to take forward against the number one team in the world. For us to be going to Lord’s with everything to play for, have a high pressure game, and have that experience to bank and look back on, ahead of a World Cup is great.”