IND vs ENG, 2nd ODI: India rides on Rohit Sharma’s breezy ton to seal series win

Rohit Sharma shone brightly in the Silver City to end a prolonged lean patch with a magnificent hundred and guide the host to a convincing four-wicket win over England in the second ODI and seal the three-match series at the Barabati Stadium here on Sunday.

After electing to bat, England relied on Ben Duckett and Joe Root’s fifties to score a challenging 304. India rode on skipper Rohit’s breezy knock (119, 90b, 12×4, 7×6) to cruise to the target and delight the home team in the run-up to the Champions Trophy.

Opening the innings with Shubman Gill, Rohit broke the shackles in the seventh ball he faced by charging down and getting a four to third man.

Showcasing his old touch, the Indian captain flicked the next delivery over midwicket for a six to a rousing approval from a partisan house. A soaring stroke over cover and a stunning straight-batted six off Saqib Mahmood’s consecutive overs only underscored that Rohit’s class is permanent.

His superb tale of revival, relying on his self-belief, dwarfed the lanky Gill’s graceful half-century (60, 52b, 9×4, 1×6), featuring his domination on the legside and preceded by his brilliance in fielding, in a 100-ball 136-run opening stand.

While Rohit, who overcame an interruption due to a flood-light malfunction, literally played to the gallery with his trademark shots on either side, Virat Kohli, who replaced Yashasvi Jaiswal after missing the first ODI due to a knee issue, took guard to complete many fans’ wish-list .But Kohli lasted just eight balls before being adjudged caught behind through DRS.

AS IT HAPPENED – IND vs ENG 2nd ODI HIGHLIGHTS

Rohit continued to light up the night sky with his blitzkrieg and brought up his 32nd ODI hundred in style by stepping out and hoisting leg-spinner Adil Rashid for a six, over long-off. His dazzling performance ended when he skied Liam Livingstone to midwicket.

India lost Shreyas Iyer, K.L. Rahul and Hardik Pandya before Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja completed the chase.

Earlier, England openers Ben Duckett and Phil Salt batted smartly, as they played the ball late and found the gaps to put up their third consecutive 50-plus partnership.

Debutante leg-break bowler Varun Chakaravarthy provided the breakthrough in his second over. Salt, let off on six, ill-timed one and Jadeja took a high catch at mid-on in the 11th over.

Southpaw Duckett (65, 56b, 10×4), who cut, pulled and flicked, fell shortly after seeing England cross 100. Jadeja, who kept it tight and accurate, struck in his opening over as Duckett found Pandya at long-on.

India’s Ravindra Jadeja, celebrates after the dismissal of England’s Ben Duckett.
| Photo Credit:
DEEPAK KR

Joe Root (69, 72, 6×4), who saw off two lbw shouts, and Harry Brook forged a sensible 66-run partnership.

Harshit Rana broke the stand after Gill ran about 20 yards to his right from mid-off to catch Brook spectacularly.

Seasoned pros Root, who pulled and reverse-swept to score boundaries, and Jos Buttler added 51 off 53. Hardik removed Buttler with Gill taking a low catch at mid-off.

After Root, who scooped one to Kohli at long-off, and Jamie Overton’s dismissals, Jadeja completed his three-wicket haul and Gill his three catches. Livingstone’s cameo enabled England to cross the 300-run mark.