England bounced back in impressive fashion to defeat India by four wickets in the second ODI at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, and draw the three-match series level at 1-1. Chasing a modest target of 234, the hosts rode on a composed unbeaten 99 from Joe Root, who once again showcased why he remains one of the finest ODI batters of his generation. Although India struck early and kept picking up wickets at regular intervals, Root’s calm presence ensured England crossed the finish line with 35 balls to spare.
Earlier in the day, India were bowled out for 233 in 44 overs despite fluent half-centuries from Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer. England’s pace attack, led by the returning Jofra Archer, kept the visitors under constant pressure before Root finished the job with the bat to set up a series decider at Lord’s.
Joe Root anchors England’s chase after early setbacks
England’s chase began in the worst possible fashion as Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Ben Duckett off the very first ball of the innings. Jacob Bethell also failed to make an impact, while Harry Brook’s aggressive approach backfired once again as Gurnoor Brar removed the England captain, leaving the hosts struggling at 53/3.
With England under pressure, Root walked in and immediately brought stability to the innings. He absorbed the pressure, rotated the strike brilliantly and gradually rebuilt the chase. Sam Curran played a valuable supporting role with 26 runs before Will Jacks contributed a patient 30, helping England recover from the early collapse.
India threatened to make another comeback after dismissing Curran, Jos Buttler and later Jacks, but Root never allowed the required run rate to climb. Gus Atkinson then played a crucial unbeaten cameo of 23, sharing an unbroken partnership with Root to guide England home. Root remained unbeaten on 99, narrowly missing out on a century but delivering another match-winning innings for his side. Brar was India’s most successful bowler with two wickets, while Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Axar Patel and Shivam Dube claimed one wicket each.
Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer shine before England fight back with the ball
After losing the toss, India made a positive start through captain Shubman Gill before Atkinson removed him for 31. Rohit Sharma struggled to find fluency throughout his innings and was eventually dismissed for 26 after consuming 47 deliveries. Kohli then took charge with another classy performance. The veteran batter looked in complete control, striking elegant boundaries all around the ground while bringing up his 78th ODI half-century. He stitched together a crucial 67-run partnership with Iyer, who also batted confidently and compiled 66 runs to keep India on course for a competitive total.
However, England completely changed the momentum through Archer during the death overs. The speedster first dismissed Kohli for 65 before removing Axar and Dube in quick succession to derail India’s innings. Saqib Mahmood and Atkinson chipped in with important wickets as India’s lower order failed to provide enough support.
Bumrah entertained with an unbeaten 20-run cameo late in the innings, but India were eventually bowled out for 233 with six overs remaining. Archer starred with figures of 3/47, while Atkinson also picked up three wickets to help England restrict the visitors to a below-par total. The result means the three-match ODI series is now perfectly poised at 1-1, with both teams heading into the final ODI at Lord’s knowing that the winner will claim the series.
Here’s how fans reacted:
England have bounced back in style with a four-wicket win to level the three-match ODI series at 1-1 👏#ENGvIND #Cricket #JoeRoot pic.twitter.com/FZZIvCRQr8
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) July 17, 2026
YES BOYS! 🏴
A 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 win to keep the series alive 👊 pic.twitter.com/jyO1ezkYxv
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 16, 2026
Joe Root is special
— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) July 16, 2026
Joe Root is an opponent you can’t help but admire.
The way he sets the game up and then finishes it with such ease is simply marvellous to watch. Pure class.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) July 16, 2026
Joe Root celebrating the win and appreciating Gus Atkinson even after missing out on his 62nd hundred by just 1 run. 🥹❤️ pic.twitter.com/NGN22POIQp
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 16, 2026
JOE ROOT 99* & ENGLAND WINS IT…!!!!
They level the series 1-1 with one match left in the series, it’s going to be a Blockbuster at Lords. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/oizvO4SBob
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 16, 2026
🚨JOE ROOT CREATES ODI HISTORY🚨
– Joe Root becomes the first England batter to finish unbeaten on 99 in a successful run chase in international cricket. 🤯#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/yv2Tt0gwCf
— Rana Ahmad. (@AhmadRana056) July 17, 2026
2014 (The Oval, 2014 Test)
2014 (Leeds, 2014 ODI)
2018 (Lords, 2018 ODI)
2021 (Chennai, 2021 Test)
2021 (Nottingham, 2021 Test)
2026 (Cardiff, 2026 ODI)*Root now has 6 P.O.M Award vs India
(Most by any England player) pic.twitter.com/glc4NNKlrQ— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) July 16, 2026
99* [133] – THE SPECIAL KNOCK FROM JOE ROOT v INDIA. 🏴
– Root guided England to 4 wickets win over India in 2nd ODI in Cardiff. 🏴 pic.twitter.com/BbPIM62Rlp
— Maina Singh (@Maina_Singhx77) July 16, 2026
Joe Root, take a bow! 🙇♀️🩵
What a sensational winning knock!! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/23rquusvLR— Ishita❤️ (@ishi_178) July 16, 2026
