IND vs ENG, 2nd ODI: Fans have lambasted Team India over their stunning collapse in the second ODI against England on July 16, Thursday at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff. With the hosts making a remarkable comeback to keep Team India to 233 with six overs or 36 deliveries to spare, the focus shifted to the visitors’ middle-order that failed to contain the collapse that prevented them from setting a tall score. Fans on social media were massively lamenting the ‘non-existent middle-order’.
IND vs ENG, 2nd ODI: Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer shine but Team India’s overall insipid batting performance comes under scanner
With England captain Harry Brook winning the toss and sending Team India into bat, they got off to a promising start. Gus Atkinson had got the better of Shubman Gill for 31 as his full-blooded cover drive was intercepted by a sharp catch from Ben Duckett, ending a promising 44-run partnership. Rohit Sharma’s rusty stay of 47 deliveries came to an end after Will Jacks dismissed him, bringing to halt a 67-run stand. With Ishan Kishan replacing an unwell KL Rahul in the playing XI, he was strangely sent ahead of Shreyas Iyer but Sam Curran bounced him out with a short-pitched delivery.
India were saved the last game by Axar-Dube. Their batting was a problem but it got covered by that day. It’s failing again today
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) July 16, 2026
178 for 3 to 193 for 7.
What a middle order we have. 🤦♂️ Lost 4 wickets in five overs adding just 15 runs. Pathetic.
— Cricketologist (@AMP86793444) July 16, 2026
Non existent middle order
— tea_addIct (@on_drive2306) July 16, 2026
It was the wicket of Kohli for 65 taken by Jofra Archer that triggered the visitors’ slide as they went from 178/3 to 193/7. Although Iyer reached his fifty and Jasprit Bumrah dished out some big hits, India got bowled out for 233 in 44 overs. The likes of Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Shivam Dube were arguably the biggest disappointments as none of them got to even double figures.
IND vs ENG, 2nd ODI: When did Team India last play an ODI in Cardiff?
Meanwhile, Team India can take confidence from their most recent ODI in Cardiff that came in August 2014. Having amassed 304 against England, they bowled the hosts out for 161 to win by a commanding margin of 133 runs.
Nevertheless, the tourists need a miracle to beat an aggressive side, led by Brook on Thursday, with their pace spearhead Bumrah needing to strike in the powerplay.
