India secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series by defeating England in Cuttack. Captain Rohit Sharma and vice-captain Shubman Gill played stellar roles in this victory. Rohit Sharma's century marked a welcome return to form for the Indian team.
Sports News: India defeated England by four wickets in the second ODI in Cuttack, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. England, batting first, scored 304 runs in 49.5 overs. India chased down the target in 44.3 overs, losing six wickets. Captain Rohit Sharma was the hero of this victory, scoring a magnificent 119 runs off 90 balls, including 12 fours and seven sixes.
This century came after a 16-month gap in his ODI career. His previous ODI century was 131 runs against Afghanistan in the ODI World Cup on October 11, 2023. Vice-captain Shubman Gill also contributed significantly, scoring 60 runs off 52 balls.
India's Captain and Vice-Captain Play Brilliant Innings
The target of 305 runs was not easy, but the Indian team performed brilliantly, achieving it in 44.3 overs with the loss of six wickets. Captain Rohit Sharma and vice-captain Shubman Gill provided a b start for the team. Rohit scored a century, making 119 runs in 90 balls, including 12 fours and 7 sixes. Gill scored 60 runs off 52 balls. Both aggressively attacked the English bowlers, putting India in a commanding position.
However, Gill was bowled by Jamie Overton's excellent yorker at a score of 136. Virat Kohli then came to the crease but was caught out off Adil Rashid's bowling after scoring only 5 runs. Rohit completed his century with a six off Rashid in the 26th over but was soon dismissed by Liam Livingstone. Shreyas Iyer played a good innings of 44 runs but was run out. Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja batted cautiously, guiding India to victory. Patel remained unbeaten on 41 runs, while Jadeja remained unbeaten on 11 runs.
England Posts a Substantial Score
England captain Jos Buttler won the toss and elected to bat first, but this proved to be his only victory. Ben Duckett and Phil Salt gave England a quick start, adding 81 runs for the first wicket in 10.5 overs. Debutant Varun Chakravarthy broke the partnership, getting Salt caught by Ravindra Jadeja.
Duckett completed his half-century and played a crucial innings of 65 runs, but Jadeja had him caught by Pandya. Then Joe Root, along with Harry Brook, tried to steady the innings, but Harshit Rana dismissed Brook with a brilliant catch by Gill. Captain Buttler was also dismissed for 34 runs, bowled by Pandya.
Root was well-set, but Rohit Sharma brought back Jadeja, who had him caught by Kohli. It was Root's 13th dismissal at the hands of Jadeja. In the final overs, Liam Livingstone scored 41 runs, taking England past 300. Both Livingstone and Mark Wood were run out, restricting England to 304 runs. For India, Jadeja bowled brilliantly, taking three wickets, while Shami, Pandya, Rana, and Varun each claimed a wicket. Axar Patel remained wicketless in this match.
