🏏 India vs England | 2nd ODI, Cuttack | February 9, 2025
India sealed the series with a four-wicket win over England in the 2nd ODI at Cuttack, chasing down a target of 305 with 33 balls to spare. Rohit Sharma’s 119 off 90 balls, including 12 fours and 7 sixes, played the anchor role in a chase that almost became too comfortable, despite a few late jitters. His century set up a commanding position before England’s bowlers managed to spark a brief collapse.
Rohit’s Masterclass Powers India to Victory
After a slow start, Rohit found his rhythm with a stunning six over long-off, taking his 50 in 30 balls and dominating England’s attack. His partnership with Shubman Gill (60), which saw them put on 136 runs, was the backbone of India’s chase. Despite a small wobble as India lost three wickets for just 4 runs, Axar Patel (41*) stayed cool under pressure, guiding India to victory.
Rohit’s 32nd ODI century came just when it was needed, and with India cruising at 136 for 1, they never looked in serious danger of losing, even when Shreyas Iyer (44) was run out, and Rohit fell to a full toss from Liam Livingstone.
England’s Batting Collapse After Root and Duckett Shine
In their innings, England had set a competitive target thanks to Joe Root (69) and Ben Duckett (65). Their 81-run opening stand was solid, but once England reached 304, they faltered, losing their last seven wickets for just 85 runs.
Ravindra Jadeja (3-35) continued his fine form, while Harshit Rana (1-44) also contributed in a spin-friendly environment. Despite some late fireworks from Livingstone (41) and Rashid (14), England’s batting collapsed under the pressure of India’s spinners. Jadeja’s timely breakthroughs—along with a lack of variation in England’s shot selection—kept India in control, never allowing the target to grow beyond reach.
Key Moments:
- Floodlight Failure: A 40-minute delay in the seventh over due to a floodlight failure briefly disrupted the game, but Rohit was unfazed, smashing four sixes after the break to continue his charge.
- Late Drama: Although the game ended comfortably for India, they lost three wickets in five overs, with Shreyas Iyer’s run-out being particularly unnecessary, injecting some tension into the closing moments.
- India’s Spinners Dominate: Jadeja and debutant Varun Chakravarthy (1-14) squeezed England in the middle overs, keeping the run rate under control and setting up a relatively low chase.
England’s Batting Woes
Despite a promising start, England once again failed to capitalize on solid partnerships. After their opening stand of 81, they quickly fell to spin pressure, with Jadeja and Axar Patel providing key breakthroughs. Notably, Harry Brook continued his struggle against spin, making 31 after being given a second chance when LBW wasn’t upheld.
What’s Next?
With India now leading 2-0 in the series, England will need to regroup quickly and win the final ODI to salvage some pride. India, however, will look to close out the series in style, with Rohit Sharma showing that he’s back to his best just ahead of the 2025 Champions Trophy.
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