Leading into the second ODI between India and England here in Cardiff, history at the Sophia Gardens — both recent and distant — had favoured the chasing team. Eight of the previous 12 ODIs, including four of the last four, were won by sides batting second.

For a brief while on Thursday (July 16, 2026), India threatened to upend it as Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna dismissed openers Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell with just eight runs on the board in a 234-run pursuit.

But things soon regressed to the mean as Joe Root scored an unbeaten 99 (133b, 9×4) to carry England to a four-wicket, series-levelling success.

Root was on 98 when the hosts still needed 19 runs. But Gus Atkinson (23 n.o., 16b, 3×4, 1×6) scored a lion’s share of those to usher the win with nearly six overs to spare. The decider will be played at Lord’s in London this Sunday.

When Duckett edged the first ball to wicket-keeper Ishan Kishan – who replaced an ill K.L. Rahul in the XI – and Bethell was also caught behind after being pinned on the backfoot by Prasidh, the large diaspora audience that had assembled smelt a close contest.

When skipper Harry Brook, who was all action during his 16-ball stay for 16 runs, perished trying one scoop too many, those hopes heightened.

But Root, after surviving a few testing overs early on, blunted the Indian attack with a perfect illustration of how to grind out a result.

If a 41-run fourth-wicket partnership with Sam Curran (26, 31b, 4×4) stabilised proceedings, the 72-run association with Will Jacks (30, 44b, 2×4) for the sixth wicket brought England to the doorstep of victory.

A rush of blood cost Jacks as he slapped a short-of-length delivery from Gurnoor Brar to cover. Shubman Gill brought Bumrah for one last roll of the dice, but it was not to be.

English pacers stymie Indian batters

Earlier, after being asked to bat first, the Indian top-three made more than half the runs and there was precious little from the rest except Shreyas Iyer, who top-scored with 66 (71b, 5×4, 2×4).

Four of the top-six – Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Kishan and Washington Sundar – fell playing cross-batted strokes and across the line.

The home side’s decision to bring in speedsters Saqib Mahmood and Atkinson for Josh Tongue and Liam Dawson – who made 68 in Birmingham and bowled two overs of left-arm spin – proved right as nine of the ten wickets were picked up by the pacers, including five by Atkinson and Mahmood combined.

Rohit made an unconvincing 26 (47b, 1×4, 1×6), during which he pulled Atkinson for a trademark six but was also dropped at deep backward square-leg on five. Gill (31, 30b, 6×4) played a few delectable leg-glances and flicks but drilled Atkinson straight to Ben Duckett at cover.

Virat Kohli was assured during his 65-run knock (66b, 8×4), and his half-century from 50 balls was completed with a fierce straight drive off Curran. An attempted heave over mid-wicket, however, ended up with the third-man fielder.

In the 33rd over, a single Shreyas took in the cover area injured a seagull. But it was India which came out feathered and tarred, losing its lower middle-order in a heap.

Shreyas, though, played admirably, and seemed most ease even against short-pitched bowling, his perceived weakness. His half-century came courtesy a neat six over fine-leg off Jofra Archer.

However, when he was the ninth man out, there were more than six overs remaining. Prasidh departed three balls later to bring the curtains down.

Bumrah, remained unbeaten on an unbeaten thrill-a-minute 20 (13b, 3×4, 1×6). In the end, it was pure entertainment and nothing more.

Published – July 17, 2026 02:07 am IST

Giving due credit: Brook was vocal about McCullum’s contribution as a Test coach.
| Photo Credit: AP