Rohit Sharma's explosive century powered India to clinch a four-wicket triumph over England in the second ODI match of the series at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Sunday.
With the stunning victory on Sunday, the Men in Blue clinched the ODI series over England 2-0 captained by Jos Butler. Sunday was all about Rohit Sharma, it was his day fully. The skipper gave a reply to his critics from his bat as he smashed a 76-ball century. The 37-year-old entertained the fans in Cuttack as he powered rains of sixes.
Rohit Sharma (119 runs from 90 balls, 12 fours and 7 sixes) and Shubman Gill (60 runs from 52 balls, 9 fours and 1 six) opened for the Men in Blue aiming to chase down a target of 305 runs. The captain and his deputy cemented a stand of 136 runs which made it easier for the hosts.
As the Three Lions got tired of conceding runs of the Indian openers, England seamer Jamie Overton drew the first blood in the second inning as he removed Gill in the 17th over.
Virat Kohli replaced the India vice-captain, but the talisman batter failed to make a mark in Cuttack. Kohli smashed just one four during his short time on the crease. Soon, Kohli was removed by Adil Rashid in the 20th over.
Shreyas Iyer came in place of Kohli and continued his solid form in the first match of the series. Iyer solidified a partnership of 70 runs with Rohit.
In the 26th over, Rohit smashed it over the long-off for a maximum and completed his 32nd ODI century in style. However, in the 30th over England's Liam Livingstone removed the India skipper for 119 runs, giving hope to the visitors to turn around the match.
England got the upper hand in the game following Rohit's dismissal, as they picked up a few quick wickets.
Shreyas Iyer (44 runs from 47 balls, 3 fours and 1 six) was unlucky to lose his wicket following a silly run-out in the 37th over. Later in the 41st over, KL Rahul (10 runs from 14 balls, 1 four) was dismissed by Overton.
Hardik Pandya replaced Rahul on the crease and added a few crucial runs on the board. The Men in Blue all-rounder spent a short time on the crease but made a mark. Hardik scored 10 runs from 6 balls, smashing 2 fours at a strike rate of 166.67. However, he lost his wicket in the 42nd over against Gus Atkinson.
In the end, it was Axar Patel (41* runs from 43 balls, 4 fours) and Ravindra Jadeja (11* runs from 7 balls, 2 fours) who stayed unbeaten on the crease and clinched a four-wicket victory over England in Cuttack.
It was Jadeja who finished the game in a style by slamming a four between the mid-off and cover. The Men in Blue chased the given target in just 45th overs.
Jamie Overton led the England bowling attack with his two-wicket haul from the 5-over spell. Gus Atkinson, Adil Rashid and Liam Livingstone bagged one wicket each in their respective spells.
India will now travel to Ahmedabad to take on England in the third match of the ODI series at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Wednesday.
(ANI)