India secured a comprehensive series victory over England, winning the second one-day international in Cuttack by seven wickets. The win, spearheaded by captain Rohit Sharma's spectacular innings of 119 runs from 90 balls, ensured India clinched the series with a 2-0 lead. Despite England posting a competitive total of 304, the Indian batsmen made light work of the chase as conditions eased under the floodlights.
England's performance in Cuttack highlighted their ongoing struggles on this tour, having now lost six of their seven matches. The match was initially seen as a potential turning point under new coach Brendon McCullum, who hoped to rejuvenate the team’s fortunes. However, India's dominance exposed England's vulnerabilities, particularly in their lower order, which was left fragile due to the absence of key players like Jacob Bethell and Jamie Smith.
Despite all six of England's top-order batsmen scoring beyond 25, none could capitalize to play a match-defining innings. Joe Root emerged as the top scorer with a well-crafted 69. England’s innings concluded with a ball to spare, leaving them slightly short of what might have been a more challenging total for India to chase. The Indian bowlers, particularly their spinners, maintained tight control, conceding less than a run per ball.
In contrast, England's pace attack struggled to contain India's batsmen, suffering significantly as they repeatedly targeted the middle of the pitch. Rohit Sharma's innings was a testament to his prowess against fast bowling. His century marked his first in 11 months for India and set the stage for a comfortable victory.
"The way Rohit took on the ball was good. The way he dominated the fast bowlers was great to watch from the non-striker's end." – Shubman Gill
Rohit expressed his satisfaction with his performance after the match, highlighting his enjoyment and contribution to the team's success.
"I really enjoyed being out there, scoring some runs for the team." – Rohit Sharma
England's misfortunes were compounded by injuries within their squad. All-rounder Jacob Bethell missed the match due to a hamstring injury, adding to the absence of Jamie Smith, who is still recovering from a calf injury. These absences left England's lower order vulnerable, a weakness that India exploited effectively.
The series was anticipated to mark a new era for England under McCullum's leadership. Yet, their continued struggles indicate a team still searching for rhythm in this format. The team will need to regroup swiftly as they look ahead to their final match of the series in Ahmedabad on Wednesday. This match also serves as their last preparation before they face Australia in the Champions Trophy opener.
Jos Buttler, England's wicketkeeper-batsman, acknowledged the team’s shortcomings but also recognized Rohit's outstanding performance.
"We did a lot of things well. We got in some nice positions with the bat. We just needed a few of us to catch fire and get up towards 350. Rohit played a terrific knock." – Jos Buttler
Despite showing glimpses of potential during their innings, England's players could not sustain momentum when it mattered most. As they prepare for their final match in Ahmedabad, they must address these inconsistencies if they hope to improve before facing Australia.
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