Root leads England fightback as India implodes: 2nd ODI (Cardiff)

Veteran Joe Root led the chase as England levelled the three-match ODI series with a four-wicket victory over India in the second match at Cardiff.

India appeared well placed after half-centuries from Virat Kohli (65) and Shreyas Iyer (66). A dramatic middle-order collapse saw them lose their final seven wickets for just 55 runs to crumble from 178-3 to be dismissed for 233.

Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson led England’s fightback with three wickets apiece, turning the match decisively in the hosts’ favour.

England’s chase was expertly controlled by Root, who remained unbeaten on 99 from 133 balls to steer his side to victory with 35 deliveries to spare. Root combined patience with precision to guide England through the chase despite a few anxious moments, finishing just one run short of a deserved century.

The win squared the series at 1-1 and set up a winner-takes-all decider in the final ODI at Lord’s.

England 235 for 6 (Root 99*, Gurnoor 2-67) beat India 233 (Iyer 66, Kohli 65, Archer 3-47) by four wickets.

July 2026.