England vs India 2nd ODI 2026: Root 99*, Atkinson heroics level series 1-1

Joe Root produced a masterclass in ODI batting, scoring an unbeaten 99 to guide England to a four-wicket victory over India in the second ODI at Cardiff on Thursday. The win levels the three-match series at 1-1.

Root's knock, coming off 107 balls, was the anchor England needed after early wickets had threatened to derail their chase of India's 304. He found an able ally in Gus Atkinson, whose all-round heroics — 3 for 45 with the ball and an unbeaten 35 off 28 balls with the bat — swung the game decisively in England's favour.

India's innings: Kishan steps in, top order fires

India won the toss and opted to bat first. The visitors made one change to their playing XI, with Ishan Kishan coming in for an unwell KL Rahul. Kishan made the opportunity count, scoring a fluent 78 off 82 balls.

Captain Rohit Sharma (63 off 70) and Virat Kohli (52 off 61) also chipped in with half-centuries, providing the backbone of India's total. Shreyas Iyer's quickfire 42 off 38 balls in the death overs helped India cross the 300-mark.

For England, Atkinson was the pick of the bowlers. He dismissed Rohit and Kohli in quick succession during the middle overs, preventing India from accelerating further. Jofra Archer and Adil Rashid picked up two wickets each, but England's fielding was sloppy at times, with a few dropped catches.

England's chase: Root holds firm, Atkinson provides finishing touch

England's chase got off to a shaky start. Jason Roy fell early for 12, caught behind off Mohammed Shami. Ben Duckett (34) and Joe Root then added 67 runs for the second wicket to stabilise the innings.

Duckett's dismissal, caught by Shubman Gill off Kuldeep Yadav, brought Jos Buttler to the crease. The England captain looked in good touch, scoring 41 off 44 balls, but was dismissed by Hardik Pandya just when the partnership with Root was threatening to take the game away from India.

Moeen Ali (19) and Liam Livingstone (11) fell in quick succession, leaving England at 228 for 5. But Root, batting with composure, found an unlikely ally in Atkinson. The pair added an unbroken 79 runs for the sixth wicket to see England home with 11 balls to spare.

Key moments that decided the match

Atkinson's all-round performance was the standout. His three wickets in India's middle overs — including the prized scalps of Rohit and Kohli — prevented India from posting a total beyond England's reach. With the bat, his clean hitting in the death overs took the pressure off Root.

Root's near-century was a lesson in ODI batting. He rotated the strike expertly, ran hard between wickets, and found the boundary when needed. His unbeaten 99 included eight fours and a six.

India's fielding, particularly a missed stumping chance off Root when he was on 67, proved costly.

The series now moves to the deciding third ODI, scheduled to be played at Old Trafford in Manchester on Sunday. Both teams will be looking to iron out their weaknesses before the final showdown.