Second ODI, Cardiff
India 233 (44 overs): Ayer 66 (71); Archer 3-47
England 235–6 (44.1 overs): Root 99* (133); Brar 2-67
England won by four wickets
Scorecard
England again needed Joe Root’s help as his 99 led to a dogged chase of 234 against India in Cardiff to level the one-day international series against India.
With wickets falling regularly around him, Root produced a masterclass in adapting to difficult conditions and guided England to the target with 5.5 overs remaining, but was denied a century as Gus Atkinson reached the winning boundary with three runs needed to win.
Root was immediately tasked with reviving the chaotic start to the chase after Ben Duckett was dismissed off the first ball of the innings.
Duckett was caught behind Jasprit Bumrah, Jacob Bethell fell to Prasidh Krishna in the same manner for four, and after a third stand of 45, rampaging captain Harry Brook was disastrously out trying to edge the keeper for 16.
Root stood no chance and held firm after the departures of Sam Curran and Jos Buttler, before he found valuable support in the partnership of Will Jacks and Gus Atkinson to take England over the line in a thrilling contest between bat and ball.
Earlier, Virat Kohli looked in ominous form for his 65, but England’s bowlers fought back brilliantly, taking the final seven wickets for just 55 runs as India were bowled out for 233 and, crucially, left six overs of their innings unused.
The visitors were looking for a commanding total when Kohli took them to 178-3 in the 32nd over, but his top edge off Jofra Archer at deep third proved decisive.
The dismissal breathed life into the England team with Saqib Mahmood removing Washington Sundar in the next over and Archer adding Axar Patel and Shivam Dube to his tally to finish with 3-47.
Shreyas Iyer threatened a late run with his 66, but Atkinson took two wickets in three balls to cap off a fine bowling performance – Atkinson finishing with 3-50 and Mahmud 2-52.
The series decider will take place at Lord’s on Sunday after England dominated the previous T20 series 4-0.