England Levels ODI Series Against India with Joe Root's Unbeaten 99 in Cardiff
England's four-wicket victory at Sophia Gardens sets up a thrilling series decider against India at Lord's on July 19.
The story
At Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, England successfully chased down India's total of 233 to win the second One Day International by four wickets, leveling the three-match series at 1-1. India, after being put in to bat, saw half-centuries from Virat Kohli (65 off 66 balls) and Shreyas Iyer (66 off 71 balls), who built a 67-run stand to take the score past 170. However, a dramatic middle-order collapse saw India lose four wickets for just 15 runs, eventually being bowled out for 233 in 44 overs. Jofra Archer (3/47) and Gus Atkinson (3/50) were the standout bowlers for England.
England's chase began shakily, with Jasprit Bumrah dismissing Ben Duckett on the first ball. Despite early wickets, Joe Root anchored the innings with a masterful unbeaten 99 off 133 deliveries. Supported by contributions from Will Jacks (30), Sam Curran (26), and Gus Atkinson (23*), Root guided England home with 20 balls to spare, leaving him agonizingly one run short of a century. The win ensures the series will be decided in the final ODI.
Latest results
| Match | Format | Result | Star |
|---|---|---|---|
| England vs India | ODI | England won by 4 wickets | Joe Root 99* (133) & Jofra Archer 3/47 |
| West Indies vs New Zealand | ODI | New Zealand won by 6 wickets | Jayden Lennox 4/52 |
Series in play
India tour of England, 2026. 2nd ODI, series level 1-1
New Zealand tour of West Indies, 2026. 3rd ODI, New Zealand lead 2-1 in five-match series
Tables that matter
| Competition | Position | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ICC Men's ODI Team Rankings | 1. India (121 rating) | India remains the top-ranked ODI team. |
| ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 | 1. Australia (87.50%), 2. South Africa (75.00%) | Australia leads the standings, with New Zealand and Bangladesh also in the top four. |
What we'll be watching
- England vs India (3rd ODI) on July 19 at Lord's, London
- West Indies vs New Zealand (4th ODI) on July 19 at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados
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