Rohit Sharma. | (Image Credits: X)
Updates:
Team India skipper Rohit Sharma led from the front as the Men in Blue took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-game ODI series as his blazing hundred helped the hosts gun down 304 with four wickets and 33 balls to spare. His opening partnership with Shubman Gill of 136 was also a crucial factor in their victory.
England have been bowled out yet again but have managed to eke out a competitive score of 304 in their allotted 50 overs in the second ODI in Cuttack. After another promising start by the openers, contributions followed from Joe Root (69), Jos Buttler (34), Harry Brook (31) and Liam Livingstone (41) to carry England to beyond 300 which at one stage didn’t look likely. Ravindra Jadeja was the pick of England bowlers with figures of 10-1-35-3.
WICKET! Varun Chakravarthy continues to trouble England batters. Phil Salt dismissed for 26 runs and also becomes his maiden ODI Wicket.
England openers Ben Duckett and Phil Salt have once again provided a very good start fo England with 50 run stand. Indian bowlers have looked clueless. Axar Patel dropped an easy catch of Salt on 7 runs. Will Salt make them pay?
India & England Playing XI
England
OUT: Archer, Bethell and Carse
IN: Wood, Atkinson and Overton
India
OUT: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Kuldeep Yadav
IN: Virat Kohli, Varun Chakravarthy
Toss: England will be batting first with Varun Chakravarthy handed ODI Debut.
Preview
India will aim to secure an unbeatable lead when they face England in the second ODI of the three-match series in Cuttack. The hosts dominated the first match with a commanding four-wicket victory on Thursday, taking a 1-0 lead in the series. With Virat Kohli expected to return, all eyes will be on India’s playing XI.
Young pacer Harshit Rana made a remarkable debut, grabbing three wickets in the first match, and is likely to retain his spot in the lineup. Meanwhile, Shubman Gill played a crucial innings, scoring a match-winning 87 runs to guide India to a comfortable victory.
For Jos Buttler’s England, this match is a do-or-die situation. They may consider shifting from their ultra-aggressive batting approach to a more calculated strategy. England’s chances of success will largely depend on how their attacking intent fares against India’s quality spin attack.
