IND vs ENG 2nd ODI Result: Joe Root’s unbeaten 99 and Gus Atkinson’s all-round heroics help England level series | Cricket News
Veteran Joe Root’s masterful chasing and clinical bowling performance helped England regain style and register a comfortable four-wicket win over India in the second ODI on Thursday. The resounding victory leveled the three-match series at 1-1, setting up a winner-take-all finale at Lord’s on Sunday.England chose to bat first and took advantage of the conditions of the pace attack to bowl out India for 233 in 44 overs, triggering a spectacular mid-innings collapse.Earlier, India looked set for a total, posting a comfortable 178 for 3 in 32 overs. Virat Kohli (65 off 66 balls) and Shreyas Iyer (66 off 71 balls) laid a solid foundation with half-centuries and the duo kept the scoreboard ticking with their authoritative batting.However, the England pacers fought back ruthlessly. Led by Jofra Archer (3/47) and Gus Atkinson (3/50), the hosts triggered a batting slump and India lost their last seven wickets for just 55 runs. Under sustained pressure, the tail failed to wag and India were eventually eliminated in six overs without a bat.Chasing a modest 234 runs, England’s top order faced some tests against the moving ball, with both openers losing their first four overs by just eight runs. India’s pacer Gurnoor Brar bowled well and took 2 for 67 to help the visitors continue their chase.But Joe Root stood like a rock. The former skipper showed supreme composure and pushed the pace of the chase to perfection. As wickets tumbled around him, Root found a reliable partner in Will Jacks. The duo endured a tricky period to put together a crucial 72-run fielding stand for the sixth wicket, turning the momentum firmly in England’s favour.Gus Atkinson led England home with Root after Jacks missed 30 of the 44 games. The two formed a quick, unbroken partnership in 38 overs, finishing off just 25 deliveries. Atkinson made a comfortable cameo of 23 off 16 balls while Root, despite being brutally stuck at 99 off 133 balls, did an excellent job of steadying the chase till the end.England exceeded the target of 235 for 6 and ended the match with 35 balls to spare. With the balance now in the balance after India’s six-wicket victory in Birmingham, the series decider at Lord’s promises to be an exciting affair.Brief score:India: 233 all out in 44 overs (Shreyas Iyer 66, Virat Kohli 65; Jofra Archer 3/47, Gus Atkinson 3/50)England: 235/6 in 44.1 overs (Jo Root 99*, Will Jacks 30; Gunur Bulla 2/67)result: England won by 4 wickets.
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