England defeated India by four wickets in the second One Day International (ODI) at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, effectively leveling the three-match series at 1-1. Choosing to field first, England restricted India to a total of 233 runs before the visitors were bowled out in 44 overs.
India started with a steady opening partnership from Shubman Gill, who made a quick 31 runs off 30 deliveries, and captain Rohit Sharma, who contributed 26 runs. Following their dismissals, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer stabilized the innings with a 67-run partnership.
Both batters completed half-centuries; Shreyas Iyer scored 66 runs off 71 balls, while Virat Kohli accumulated 65 runs from 66 balls. However, the dismissal of Kohli triggered a severe batting collapse. India lost four wickets for only 15 runs as the middle and lower order failed to maintain momentum.
A late contribution of 20 runs not out from Jasprit Bumrah helped push India past the 230-run mark. For England, pace bowlers Jofra Archer (3/47) and Gus Atkinson (3/50) led the bowling department successfully, supported by Saqib Mahmood who claimed two wickets.
Here are Twitter reactions:
๐จ ENGLAND BEAT INDIA IN 2ND ODI MATCH & TAKEN 1-1 LEAD IN THIS ODI SERIES ๐จ
โ Joe Root, The Hero for England. โญ pic.twitter.com/8jcT28SoXD
โ Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) July 16, 2026
The series is level ๐ช
Led by a masterful @root66 innings, @englandcricket get the win against India in Cardiff๐
Itโs all to play for in the third & final ODI โก๏ธ#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/8E78NeuIN4
โ PCA (@PCA) July 16, 2026
England win the second ODI by 4 wickets.#TeamIndia's focus now shifts to the series decider on Sunday.
Scorecard โถ๏ธ https://t.co/2Z0BQOPWjC #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/CfyMZuZ71Y
โ BCCI (@BCCI) July 16, 2026
๐จ TEAM INDIA ALL OUT ON 233 RUNS IN 44 OVERS Vs ENGLAND ๐จ
โ A Quality bowling performances by England. pic.twitter.com/2HQ3wBTevU
โ Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) July 16, 2026
Root's composed knock led england to chase 234 runs and lebel series 1-1
Team india will face England for decider at lords ๐ pic.twitter.com/Tgixk4kytC
โ cricmawa (@cricmawa) July 16, 2026
YES BOYS! ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ
A ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ win to keep the series alive ๐ pic.twitter.com/jyO1ezkYxv
โ England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 16, 2026
๐จ ENGLAND BEAT INDIA IN 2ND ODI MATCH & TAKEN 1-1 LEAD IN THIS ODI SERIES ๐จ
โ Joe Root, The Hero for England. โญ pic.twitter.com/8jcT28SoXD
โ Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) July 16, 2026
England Collapse to 53/3 After Bumrah, Gurnoor Brarโs Early Blows
England faced early setbacks in their pursuit of 234 runs. Opening batter Ben Duckett was dismissed for a duck by Jasprit Bumrah on the first delivery of the innings, and Jacob Bethell fell shortly after for 4 runs. Harry Brook added a brief 16 runs before being dismissed by Gurnoor Brar, leaving the hosts at a precarious 53/3.
Joe Root anchored the innings with an unbeaten 99 runs from 133 deliveries. Root established crucial middle-order partnerships, first with Sam Curran (26 runs) and subsequently with Will Jacks (30 runs). As the match neared its conclusion, Gus Atkinson joined Root and hit the winning boundary off Prasidh Krishna in the 45th over.
England completed the chase at 235/6 with 35 balls remaining. Although Root remained stranded just one run short of a century, his performance secured the win and setup a series decider at Lordโs.
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