Joe Root returned unbeaten after scoring 99 runsImage Credit source: PTI
In the ODI series against India, England made a strong comeback and won the second match. In the India-England ODI match played in Cardiff after 12 years, host England won by 4 wickets. With the help of star batsman Joe Root’s brilliant innings, England achieved the easy target of 234 runs given by India and leveled the series at 1-1. Although England had to struggle a lot to reach here, Root proved to be the real difference in the end, returning unbeaten on 99 runs.
Kohli-Iyer’s half-centuries, rest of the batsmen failed
Team India’s batting was completely ineffective in this match of the ODI series played on Thursday 16th July in Cardiff. Captain Shubhman Gill (31), who was the star of the last match, was out after a fast start, while Rohit Sharma (26) Was seen struggling a lot in the second consecutive match. But on the other hand, Virat Kohli left behind the failure of the previous match and scored an excellent half-century. During this period, Kohli made a half-century partnership with Rohit and then with Shreyas Iyer.
But as soon as this partnership broke with the dismissal of Kohli (65), the Indian innings fell apart. When Kohli was out, the team’s score was 178 runs but the next 6 batsmen were out after adding only 55 runs. In this too, Jasprit Bumrah had scored 18 runs in a single over. Iyer also scored a half-century and scored 66 runs. The biggest role in making this condition of Team India was played by Joffra Archer, who took 3 wickets including Kohli. Gus Atkinson also got 3 wickets and Saqib Mahmood got 2 wickets.
Joe Root alone snatched the victory
Team India started defending the score in a brilliant manner when Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Ben Duckett on the very first ball. Then in the fourth over, Prasidh Krishna sent the second opener Jacob Bethel back to the pavilion. From here, Joe Root settled at the crease and slowly kept increasing the score. During this time, the rest of the batsmen kept coming from the other end and kept returning after making small contributions but the routes remained intact.
At one point, Team India had reduced England’s 5 wickets for just 125 runs and it was here that India had a chance to take the match under its control. But Root was in charge and he got the support of Will Jacques. Together they made a partnership of 72 runs and ensured the team’s victory. Even after Jacques was out, Root remained steadfast and continued towards his century with the win. Then when England needed only 4 runs in 36 balls to win, Gus Atkinson hit a four. England won but Root remained stuck on 99 runs.
