Archer, Atkinson take 3 each as India fold for 233 at Cardiff 2nd ODI
Synopsis
India were cruising at 178 for 3 with Kohli and Iyer at the crease — then lost seven wickets for 55 runs in a stunning collapse at Cardiff. Archer and Atkinson shared six wickets between them, reducing a promising innings to a below-par 233. England need 234 to level the three-match series.
Key Takeaways
India were bowled out for 233 in 44 overs in the 2nd ODI at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on 16 July .
Virat Kohli scored 65 off 66 balls and Shreyas Iyer made 66 off 71 balls .
Jofra Archer ( 3 for 47 ) and Gus Atkinson ( 3 for 50 ) led England's attack; England's pacers claimed 9 wickets in the innings.
India collapsed from 178 for 3 , losing their last 7 wickets for 55 runs .
Jasprit Bumrah hit an unbeaten 20 off 13 balls to provide a late flourish.
England chase 234 to level the three-match series .
Virat Kohli (65 off 66 balls) and Shreyas Iyer (66 off 71 balls) posted determined half-centuries, but a spectacular middle-order collapse left India bundled out for 233 in 44 overs in the second ODI against England at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on Thursday, 16 July. England pace duo Jofra Archer (3 for 47) and Gus Atkinson (3 for 50) led a nine-wicket haul for the home pacers as India lost their last seven wickets for just 55 runs after being comfortably placed at 178 for 3. England now chase 234 to level the three-match series.
Solid Start, Then the Slide
Captain Shubman Gill gave India a brisk platform before Atkinson drew a firm drive in the eighth over, with Ben Duckett taking a sharp diving catch at cover to dismiss Gill for 31. Rohit Sharma — dropped on five off Archer — never found his rhythm, eventually falling for 26 after top-edging a sweep off Will Jacks to give Jos Buttler a straightforward catch. Ishan Kishan departed cheaply as well, toe-ending a pull to Sam Curran off his own bowling.
Kohli and Iyer Resist, England Strike Back
Kohli walked in and immediately imposed himself — a crisp straight drive off Archer, a whip over mid-on and a trademark cover drive off Atkinson took him to his fifty off 50 balls. Iyer, meanwhile, reached his own fifty in just 42 balls, pulling Archer for six. At 178 for 3, India appeared set for a competitive total. England captain Harry Brook reintroduced Archer in the 32nd over, and the move proved decisive. Kohli top-edged a back-of-a-length delivery; Adil Rashid ran in from third man to complete the catch and end a controlled innings of 65.
Collapse in the Lower Order
The wickets then tumbled in a rush. Washington Sundar, hampered by a hamstring issue, lobbed a pull behind Buttler off Saqib Mahmood (2 for 52). Axar Patel feathered a rising Archer delivery behind to Buttler, and on the very next ball Shivam Dube was dismissed for a golden duck, chipping a length delivery straight back to Archer for a sharp return catch. Gurnoor Brar flashed at a wide Mahmood delivery and was pouched at sweeper cover. India had plummeted from a position of relative comfort to the brink of a sub-par total in a matter of overs.
Bumrah's Late Blitz Falls Short
Jasprit Bumrah provided a rousing late cameo — 20 not out off 13 balls — including three boundaries in an 18-run 43rd over off Mahmood: a top-edged pull over the keeper, a whip through mid-wicket, and a six over deep square leg. The Cardiff crowd was briefly roused, but Atkinson ended Iyer's valiant knock in the next over, drawing an edge behind, before sending Prasidh Krishna's leg stump cartwheeling to wrap up the innings. India's last seven wickets had fallen for just 55 runs — a collapse that hands England a realistic chance of levelling the series.
Point of View
The innings had no second layer of resistance — Sundar was injured, Dube fell for a golden duck, and Axar offered nothing. A total of 233 from 44 overs, with two set batters in the 60s, points to a tail that contributes too little too late, and a team selection that may need to reconsider its lower-order depth for the series decider.
NationPress
16 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was India's total in the 2nd ODI against England at Cardiff?
India were bowled out for 233 in 44 overs at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on 16 July. Despite half-centuries from Virat Kohli (65) and Shreyas Iyer (66), a seven-wicket collapse for 55 runs left them well short of a competitive total.
How did Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson perform?
Jofra Archer took 3 for 47 and Gus Atkinson took 3 for 50. Between them and Saqib Mahmood (2 for 52), England's pace attack claimed nine of India's ten wickets, dominating proceedings throughout the innings.
What target does England need to level the series?
England need to chase down 234 runs to level the three-match ODI series. The first match's result means this game is crucial to keeping the series alive for the home side.
How did India's collapse unfold?
India were comfortably placed at 178 for 3 before losing their last seven wickets for just 55 runs. The slide began when Archer dismissed Kohli for 65 in the 32nd over, after which Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, and Gurnoor Brar all fell cheaply in quick succession.
Who were the standout performers for India?
Virat Kohli (65 off 66 balls) and Shreyas Iyer (66 off 71 balls) were India's top scorers. Jasprit Bumrah contributed a late cameo of 20 not out off 13 balls, including three boundaries in a single over, to push India past 230.
