IND vs ENG, 2nd ODI: Although Joe Root missed out on a hundred and finished with an unbeaten 99, England managed to level the three-match ODI series by chasing down 234 in the second game at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff. Although Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer made fifties after a promising opening partnership, the Men in Blue suffered a terrible collapse and got bowled out for 233 with six overs to spare. Root was the point of difference as he held the innings together despite India striking early. With the series now 1-1, it will be all to play for in the decider on July 19, Sunday at the Lord’s Cricket Ground.
Here are the turning points from England’s four-wicket win over India in Cardiff
3) Virat Kohli’s wicket for 65
With England feeling the urgency to strike, captain Harry Brook brought Jofra Archer into the attack in the 32nd over of the innings. The right-arm speedster struck in the first over of his new spell as Kohli managed a top-edge which landed in Adil Rashid’s hands at deep third-man. With the 37-year-old perishing for 65, the 67-run stand ended between the duo and it set in wheels the motion for a collapse that the tourists failed to recover from.
2) Jasprit Bumrah’s cameo
On a pitch where most batters struggled, Jasprit Bumrah, the tailender, gave the visitors some momentum after coming in to bat at No.9. With Team India teetering at 214/8, Bumrah clattered three boundaries and a six off Saqib Mahmood’s ninth over to give their side a bit of a momentum. The 13-ball 20 cameo allowed the Men in Blue to take the game relatively deep despite losing in the end.
1) Joe Root-Will Jacks partnership
With Team India striking thrice inside the powerplay, the target of 234 seemed bridge too far for England. While the 41-run stand between Joe Root and Sam Curran set in motion the wheels for the home side’s recovery, the 72-run partnership with Will Jacks was perhaps the most significant one of the innings. At 125/5, India would have smelt blood but the 72-run stand had England’s noses in front as they eventually marched to victory with 35 balls to spare.
