Root's 99 not out steers England to series-levelling win over India in Cardiff ODI
Synopsis
Root needed one more run for a hundred — but England needed four wickets, and that mattered more. His unbeaten 99 off 133 balls, blending patience with precision, hauled England past India's 233 to level the series 1-1. Now it's all down to Lord's on Sunday, with the world's top-ranked ODI side waiting.
Key Takeaways
England beat India by four wickets in the 2nd ODI at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on 17 July .
Joe Root scored an unbeaten 99 off 133 balls , hitting nine fours , to anchor the chase of 234 .
India collapsed from 178/3 to be bowled out for 233 , losing their last 7 wickets for 55 runs .
Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson took 3 wickets each ; Saqib Mahmood claimed 2 .
Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer scored 66 each for India before the collapse.
The three-match series is locked at 1-1 ; the decider takes place at Lord's on Sunday .
Joe Root guided England to a four-wicket victory over India in the second ODI at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on 17 July, anchoring the chase with an unbeaten 99 off 133 balls to level the three-match series 1-1. The result sets up a winner-takes-all decider at Lord's on Sunday.
Root's Knock: Composed, Clinical, Unfinished
Root's innings featured nine fours as England overhauled India's target of 234, finishing on 234/6 in 44.1 overs. He was left stranded on 99 when Gus Atkinson hit the winning boundary with 35 balls to spare, denying Root a landmark century. The former England captain, however, was untroubled by the personal milestone slipping away.
'It would've felt a lot worse if we'd lost. That's why you play to win. And for us to have that carrot ahead of us, winning at Lord's and the chance to beat the number one team in the world, is really exciting,' Root said after the match.
India's Collapse After Promising Start
India had appeared on course for a considerably larger total after Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer struck 66 each, lifting the visitors to 178/3. England's pace attack then dismantled the lower order as India lost their last seven wickets for just 55 runs, eventually bowled out for 233. Jofra Archer and Atkinson claimed three wickets each, while Saqib Mahmood picked up two.
England's 'Ugly' Win and World Cup Context
Despite timely strikes from Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel during the chase, Root's measured approach ensured England crossed the line without undue alarm. Root stressed the value of grinding out a win in an unfamiliar style for this England side.
'I'm delighted that we found a way of doing it ugly and doing it in a way that probably doesn't suit a lot of the other guys and what they're used to doing and how they're used to playing. It shapes us up really well with what's to come, and a great experience of a big pressure game ahead of a World Cup in 2027,' he said.
What's at Stake at Lord's
With the series locked at 1-1, Sunday's final ODI at Lord's will determine which side claims the series against the world's top-ranked ODI team. For England, the win at Cardiff also serves as a timely confidence boost ahead of the 2027 World Cup cycle, demonstrating their capacity to adapt when the situation demands restraint over aggression.
Point of View
The century did not. But the more significant subplot is India's batting collapse: going from 178/3 to all out for 233 is a structural vulnerability that England's pace trio exploited with precision. For India, the middle-order fragility exposed at Cardiff will be the bigger concern heading into Lord's. England, meanwhile, have quietly demonstrated something their Bazball identity rarely showcases — the ability to grind.
NationPress
17 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the England vs India 2nd ODI in Cardiff?
England beat India by four wickets in the 2nd ODI at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on 17 July, chasing down a target of 234 in 44.1 overs. The result levelled the three-match series 1-1.
How did Joe Root perform in the 2nd ODI?
Joe Root scored an unbeaten 99 off 133 balls, hitting nine fours, to anchor England's chase. He was left one run short of a century when Gus Atkinson hit the winning boundary with 35 balls to spare.
How did India's batting collapse unfold?
India were positioned strongly at 178/3, with Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer scoring 66 each. However, England's pace attack triggered a dramatic collapse, dismissing the last seven wickets for just 55 runs to bowl India out for 233.
Who were England's top bowlers in the Cardiff ODI?
Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson claimed three wickets each, while Saqib Mahmood picked up two to bundle India out for 233.
When and where is the deciding 3rd ODI between England and India?
The series decider is scheduled for Sunday at Lord's, London. With the series tied at 1-1, the match will determine the series winner against the world's top-ranked ODI side.
