Rohit Sharma’s Magnificent Century Propels India to Series Victory Over England in 2nd ODI

Cuttack, February 9, 2025: In a thrilling display of batting prowess, India defeated England by four wickets in the second ODI at the Barabati Stadium, securing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Captain Rohit Sharma delivered a masterclass, scoring a scintillating century to guide India to a comfortable victory while chasing a challenging target of 305. The win not only highlighted India’s dominance in the series but also marked a triumphant return to form for Rohit, who had been under scrutiny for his recent performances.

Match Summary

• England: 304/10 in 49.5 overs (Joe Root 69, Ben Duckett 65; Ravindra Jadeja 3/35)
• India: 308/6 in 44.3 overs (Rohit Sharma 119, Shubman Gill 60; Axar Patel 41*)
• Result: India won by 4 wickets

England’s Innings: A Strong Start Fizzles Out

England won the toss and elected to bat first, aiming to set a formidable total. Openers Ben Duckett and Phil Salt provided a blistering start, adding 81 runs in just 65 balls. Duckett was the aggressor, scoring a 56-ball 65, while Salt contributed a quick 28 before falling to debutant Varun Chakravarthy.

Joe Root anchored the innings with a composed 69 off 72 balls, forming crucial partnerships with Harry Brook (31) and Jos Buttler (34). Liam Livingstone’s late flourish of 41 off 32 balls gave England a late boost, helping them post a competitive total of 304/10 in 49.5 overs.

Ravindra Jadeja was the standout bowler for India, finishing with figures of 3/35 in his 10 overs. His ability to break key partnerships, including the dismissals of Duckett, Root, and Buttler, kept England from running away with the game. Mohammed Shami and Hardik Pandya also chipped in with crucial wickets, while debutant Varun Chakravarthy made an immediate impact by dismissing Salt early in the innings.

India’s Chase: Rohit-Gill Duo Steal the Show

Chasing 305, India got off to a flying start, thanks to a dominant 136-run opening partnership between Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. The duo took the attack to the English bowlers, scoring at a rapid pace and setting the foundation for the chase.

• Rohit Sharma: The Indian captain was in sublime touch, smashing his 32nd ODI century off just 76 balls. His innings of 119 off 90 balls included 12 fours and 7 sixes, showcasing his ability to dominate the opposition with effortless strokeplay.
• Shubman Gill: Gill played the perfect foil to Rohit, scoring a fluent 60 off 52 balls. His elegant strokeplay and aggressive intent kept the scoreboard ticking, putting England on the back foot early in the chase.

Despite losing Gill and Virat Kohli (5) in quick succession, India remained on course for victory. Shreyas Iyer (44) and Axar Patel (41*) steadied the ship with a composed partnership, ensuring there were no late hiccups. Axar, in particular, played a crucial role in the closing stages, guiding India home with an unbeaten 41 off 43 balls.

Key Performances

• Rohit Sharma: 119 off 90 balls (12 fours, 7 sixes) – A vintage knock that silenced critics and reminded everyone of his class.
• Shubman Gill: 60 off 52 balls – A fluent innings that set the tone for the chase.
• Ravindra Jadeja: 3/35 in 10 overs – A match-defining spell that kept England in check.
• Joe Root: 69 off 72 balls – A gritty knock that anchored England’s innings.
• Ben Duckett: 65 off 56 balls – A fiery start that gave England early momentum.

Turning Point

The 136-run opening stand between Rohit and Gill was the turning point of the match. Their aggressive approach neutralized England’s bowling attack and put India firmly in control of the chase. Rohit’s century, his first in ODIs since January 2023, was the highlight of the match and a testament to his ability to perform under pressure.

What’s Next?

With the series already in their pocket, India will look to complete a clean sweep in the third ODI, scheduled to be played at [Venue] on [Date]. England, on the other hand, will aim to salvage pride and end the series on a positive note.

Player of the Match

Rohit Sharma was deservedly named the Player of the Match for his match-winning century.

Reactions

• Rohit Sharma (India Captain): “It feels great to contribute to the team’s victory. The partnership with Gill was crucial, and I’m glad we could set the platform for the win. The bowlers did a fantastic job to restrict England to 304, and the batters finished the job.”
• Jos Buttler (England Captain): “We started well with the bat, but we couldn’t capitalize in the middle overs. Credit to India for the way they chased down the target. We’ll look to bounce back in the final game.”

Playing XIs

India: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav

England: Philip Salt (WK), Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (C), Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Saqib Mahmood

Squads

India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (WK), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Varun Chakravarthy, Washington Sundar, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Arshdeep Singh

England: Philip Salt (WK), Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (C), Jacob Bethell, Liam Livingstone, Brydon Carse, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Saqib Mahmood, Gus Atkinson, Mark Wood, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith

Stay tuned for more updates and analysis as India and England gear up for the final ODI!..