IND vs ENG: 2nd ODI Review – Rohit’s sensational ton seals series for India
India clinched the second ODI of the three-match series in Cuttack to take an unassailable 2-0 lead on February 9. Opting to bat first on winning the toss, England got off to a positive start inside their powerplay as they put on 75 runs inside the powerplay, with Ben Duckett scoring 48. Varun Chakravarthy, playing his debut ODI, got rid of Phil Salt in his second over.
After Duckett’s dismissal for a breezy 65, Harry Brook joined Joe Root in the middle. Both of them were looking set for a big one before the former was dismissed in the 30th over, courtesy of a brilliant catch by a backpedaling Shubman Gill from mid-off. Jos Buttler was dismissed in the same over which saw Root getting to his half-century. Root was dismissed for 69 as England ended up with 304 after 49.5 overs. Ravindra Jadeja ended up with miserly figures reading 3/35 in 10 overs.
As for the response, India was as good as their opponents in the first 10 overs. Rohit Sharma regained his nick, playing an outrageous knock while in the middle. A 30-ball fifty went on to transform into Rohit’s 32nd ODI ton, off just 76 deliveries. Coming back to the side after missing the first ODI due to a soreness in the right knee, Virat Kohli was dismissed for just five as he edged Adil Rashid behind.
Axar Patel and Shreyas Iyer continued post Rohit’s dismissal for 119. However, Iyer fell six shy of his second-consecutive fifty, succumbing to a needless run-out. There were a couple of hiccups with KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya departing for scores of 10 apiece. However, the left-handed duo of Axar and Jadeja ensured that the job was done without further blows. India ended up winning the game by a four-wicket margin with 33 deliveries to spare.
Best Performers of the match
Rohit Sharma (119 off 90)
It was almost as if Rohit was batting on a different track altogether. The Indian skipper looked unstoppable for the entirety of his innings. His 90-ball knock comprised a total of 19 boundaries; 12 fours and seven sixes.
Ravindra Jadeja (3/35 in 10 overs)
For the second ODI in a row, Jadeja picked up a three-wicket haul. His wickets included the two well-set batters in the form of Duckett and Root, in addition to Jamie Overton. The left-armer conceded only one boundary throughout his whole quota.
What’s next for the two teams?
The two sides will take on each other in the third and final ODI of the series at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The fixture is scheduled to get underway on Wednesday, February 12, at 1:30 pm (IST).
