By The Sampadak Express
India delivered a stellar performance to defeat England by four wickets in the second ODI at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack, on Sunday, February 9, 2025. The victory not only gave India a 2-0 lead in the three-match series but also sealed the series with one game to spare. India had earlier triumphed in the series opener in Nagpur by 4 wickets.
Rohit and Gill Lead the Charge
Rohit Sharma played an exceptional knock, leading India with a masterful 119 runs off 90 balls, guiding the chase to a successful conclusion. Alongside him, Shubman Gill contributed a crucial 60 runs off 52 balls, displaying resilience and maturity at the crease. Their partnership formed the backbone of India’s chase, which saw them overhaul England’s target of 305 with relative ease.
England Sets a Challenging Target
Earlier in the day, England posted a competitive total of 304 all out in 50 overs. The key contributions came from Joe Root (69 runs off 72 balls) and Ben Duckett (65 runs off 56 balls), who formed a strong middle-order partnership. Liam Livingstone added a valuable cameo of 41 off 32 balls, including two sixes and two fours, before being run out in the final overs.
Despite a strong start, England’s lower-order struggled to capitalize as India’s bowlers fought back well in the latter stages. Ravindra Jadeja was the standout bowler for India, claiming 3 wickets for 33 runs, including a key dismissal of Jamie Overton (6) and Gus Atkinson (3). Mohammed Shami, Hardik Pandya, Harshit Rana, and Varun Chakravarthy each took a wicket as England’s innings faltered in the final overs.
Key Performances with the Ball
Jadeja was pivotal in restricting England’s progress, delivering key breakthroughs in the middle and lower order. His ability to contain runs and take wickets at crucial junctures helped India put the brakes on England’s scoring. Harshit Rana also made a significant impact, claiming a vital wicket of Harry Brook (31), while Shami and Pandya supported well.
The initial partnership of 81 runs between openers Ben Duckett and Phil Salt (26) had set the tone for England’s innings, but once Salt was dismissed by Varun Chakravarthy, India began to claw their way back. Duckett, despite his strong knock, was also sent packing by Jadeja.
India’s Steady Chase
In response to England’s total, India lost early wickets but maintained a steady approach throughout the chase. Rohit Sharma’s leadership and aggressive batting set the stage, with Shubman Gill providing a solid anchor role. Although KL Rahul (wk), Virat Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer fell cheaply, India was always in control thanks to the partnerships between Rohit and Gill.
Rohit’s 119-run knock was a blend of aggression and composure, while Gill’s 60 runs were a testament to his ability to play under pressure. The duo guided India to the target, with Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya providing the finishing touches, ensuring India crossed the line with four wickets in hand.
England’s Fall and India’s Triumph
England’s total of 304 seemed daunting at the start, but India’s chase was clinical. Despite wickets falling at regular intervals, India’s top order, led by the captain, held firm to chase down the target with an over to spare. This commanding win secured the series for India with one match still to go, making it a remarkable performance in front of a cheering crowd at Barabati Stadium.
Playing XIs
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Varun Chakravarthy
England: Philip Salt (wk), Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c), Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Saqib Mahmood
India will now look to complete a clean sweep in the final ODI, set to be played on February 12. With this series win, the Indian team continues its strong momentum ahead of the next set of international challenges.
