In an era of aggressive hitting and rising totals in limited-overs cricket, Joe Root demonstrated on Thursday the enduring value of a technically sound batter. His unbeaten 99 from 133 deliveries guided England to a four-wicket victory in Cardiff on a challenging pitch and set up a series decider against India at Lord’s on Sunday.
The right-hander’s measured innings revived classic one-day techniques and created the prospect of a high-profile finale that may mark the end of Rohit Sharma’s international career. The 39-year-old faces an uncertain future after the current tour, with selectors preparing to move on for the next assignment. Reports indicate they have told the former captain that Yashasvi Jaiswal will be included for the home series against the West Indies in September.
Rohit Sharma managed 26 off 47 balls in the second ODI. After England won the opener at Edgbaston, India had a chance to seal the series in Cardiff. Batting first, they reached 103 for one with Virat Kohli in commanding form on 65. Shreyas Iyer added 66 from 71 balls at number five.
Kohli’s dismissal, caught attempting an expansive shot, triggered a collapse. The following left-handers—Washington Sundar, Axar Patel and Shivam Dube—scored only 2, 1 and 0 as India finished on 233 in 44 overs, below the required total. Despite strong bowling efforts with limited resources after Washington’s hamstring injury, the total proved insufficient.
Jasprit Bumrah again impressed, removing Ben Duckett with the first ball of the chase. Prasidh Krishna then dismissed Jacob Bethell to keep India in contention. Harry Brook’s attacking approach ended when he was caught behind off Gurnoor Brar.
Ishan Kishan took four catches, including one standing up to Dube. Without an extra frontline bowler, India struggled to maintain pressure. Brar finished with two for 67 from ten overs. Selection of Kuldeep Yadav for Lord’s remains undecided.
Root anchored the chase patiently, rotating strike and finding boundaries when needed. He resisted attempts to force the pace and guided England to 235 for six in 44.1 overs, with Gus Atkinson hitting the winning runs.
Only Kohli and Iyer passed fifty for India. Removing their combined 131 runs left the remaining batters with just 102. Brief scores: India 233 (Iyer 66, Kohli 65; Archer 3/47, Atkinson 3/5) lost to England 235/6 (Root 99 not out, Jacks 30; Brar 2/67).
