Joe Root scored a stunning 99no for his country as England cruised to a thrilling four-wicket win in the one-day international series against India at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.
A sparkling innings from Virat Kohli (66 off 65) and Shreyas Iyer (71 off 66) was not enough to counter a blistering pace attack that snatched seven Indian wickets for just 55 runs. Jofra Archer (3-47) and Gus Atkinson (3-50) starred for an England team struggling without a sufficient seamer in the series-opening defeat at Edgbaston.
But a composed Root scored 72 runs with Will Jacks (30) to calm England’s nerves after they fell to 125-5 and he, along with Gus Atkinson (23no), could see his side home and reach the target of 234 runs with 5.5 overs remaining.
England’s win ended a six-game losing streak in ODIs against India and marked a blockbuster series finale in the third and final match at Lord’s on Sunday. Sky Sports live broadcast From 11 am.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
While Gus Atkinson scored England’s fourth win against India, Joe Root was stranded on 99*.
Classy Root leads England to victory to keep the series alive
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Ben Duckett took a fine catch as Gus Atkinson picked up the wicket of Shubman Gill.
India captain Shubman Gill (31) looked in good form after hitting 80 in Birmingham on Tuesday but was dismissed for a brilliant Duckett catch. Fellow opener Rohit Sharma (26) – dropped by Atkinson for 5 – was eventually sent packing by Will Jacks (1-21) after putting up a stand of 50 with a deliberate Kohli, while wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan (1) was dropped by Sam Curran (1-23) and bowled quickly thereafter.
Kohli paired brilliantly with Shreyas as the two shared a 67-run partnership, but a poor shot from Archer straight to Adil Rashid for a boundary set off an avalanche of important wickets that saw Washington Sundar (2), Axar Patel (1) and Shivam Dube (0) score 12, with Patel and Dube falling off successive Archer deliveries and India reeling at 193-7. It was 178-3.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Virat Kohli hit 65 runs off Jofra Archer after wowing the Cardiff crowd with a spectacular shot.
The determined Shreyas held on, helped by cameos from Jasprit Bumrah (20no) and Gurnoor Brar (7), but the T20 skipper eventually suffered a tame dismissal from Atkinson, followed by Prasidh Krishna (0) for three balls, and India were skittled with six overs to go and a par score of 234 to defend.
But England were immediately rattled when opening pair Duckett (0) and Bethell (4), dismissed by Bumrah with the first ball of the innings, both left England 8-2 behind, with skipper Harry Brook (16) giving Kishan the lead after an unusual shot in the 11th over.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Harry Brook was left out of England’s chase against India after hitting an uncharacteristic shot.
The wickets of Curran (25) and Jos Buttler (17) left the match at 125-5 after 25 overs, with Jacks the only recognized batsman left for England.
But the ever-reliable Root will have run away with his 62nd international cap to level with South African legend Jacques Kallis. He led his team to victory and resisted pressure from India to add another great innings to his glorious career.
Roots: The best feeling in cricket
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Joe Root is left frustrated after Will Jack throws a spoon at Virat Kohli!
England’s best player Joe Root:
“In those conditions, on that pitch, to stand there until the end and get the job done is probably the best feeling you can get in cricket.
“(I left at number 99) But that’s not what you play for, you play to win the game and this series is very much alive.
“It was difficult to bat throughout the game. We did a great job of turning India around and that allowed us time to bat and take the pressure off.
“I thought we did a good job of it overall. Sometimes you need a poor, ugly win and now we go to Lord’s with everything to play for.”
England vs India Results and Schedule
Always in the UK and Ireland, All matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports
