India swatted away England on a hot and humid Sunday in Cuttack to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series. Playing at the Barabati Stadium, India dominated England, securing a comprehensive victory by four wickets in just 44.3 overs while chasing a challenging target of 305 runs. The win was orchestrated by India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, who silenced critics and roared back into form with a magnificent century on February 9.
Rohit's breathtaking innings of 119 runs off just 90 balls had the Cuttack crowd on their feet, erupting in joy with every boundary and six. The stadium, packed with passionate fans eager to witness an ODI match at this venue for the first time since 2019, reverberated with chants of "Rohit, Rohit." The Indian skipper dazzled the crowd with an exhibition of exquisite stroke play, hammering 12 boundaries and launching seven towering sixes as he anchored India’s chase in emphatic fashion.
This century held special significance for Rohit, as it marked his first since March 2024, when he last reached the three-figure mark against England in a Test match. His innings not only provided immense joy to the cricket-loving spectators but also dispelled growing concerns about his form in international cricket. Before this match, Rohit had endured a torrid run with the bat, amassing just 166 runs in his previous 16 innings. Determined to turn the tide, he showcased immense grit and patience early on before unleashing his trademark attacking flair.
Unlike his usual aggressive approach, Rohit adopted a measured start, respecting the conditions and the opposition bowlers. He chose his moments wisely, calculating risks with precision until he found his groove. His cautious approach initially might have surprised his fans, but it was a masterclass in adaptation, demonstrating his ability to tailor his game to the situation. Critics who had urged him to alter his natural attacking style would have been impressed by this display of maturity.
Once he settled in, Rohit switched gears effortlessly, reaching his half-century in just 30 balls. Even an unexpected delay due to a floodlight failure at the stadium could not break his rhythm. When the lights came back on, so did Rohit’s fireworks, as he continued dismantling the English bowling attack with authority.
As he neared his hundred, Rohit once again exercised caution, momentarily slowing down. However, in true Rohit Sharma style, he brought up his landmark century in spectacular fashion, smashing Adil Rashid over long-off for a six, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
Shubman Gill Continues His Form
Rohit found an able ally in vice-captain Shubman Gill, who played the perfect supporting role throughout their partnership. Fresh off his match-winning knock in the first ODI in Nagpur, Gill carried his form into this game, contributing a composed 60 runs in a crucial 136-run stand with his captain.
Gill’s innings was laced with elegant short-arm pulls and crisp drives, showcasing his natural ability to find the gaps with precision. However, his promising knock was cut short in the 17th over when Jamie Overton produced a sensational yorker that crashed into the stumps. Despite his dismissal, Gill’s partnership with Rohit once again highlighted why India’s current batting order should remain unchanged, dispelling notions that he should be moved to accommodate Yashasvi Jaiswal at No. 3.
Virat Kohli’s Struggles Continue
Few players command the kind of adulation that Virat Kohli does, and the love he receives from fans was evident in the raucous welcome he got when he walked in to bat. This was reminiscent of the frenzy he generated during the Ranji Trophy clash between Delhi and Railways, and again during India’s practice session at Barabati Stadium the day before the match.
However, the excitement was short-lived as Kohli’s lean patch continued. The veteran batter lasted only eight deliveries before falling to his Achilles’ heel – a fifth-stump line delivery. This time, it wasn’t a pacer but England’s leg-spinner Adil Rashid who drew the outside edge of Kohli’s bat. While the on-field umpire initially ruled it not out, England’s review proved successful, sending Kohli back to the pavilion in disappointment.
With Rohit rediscovering his form, scrutiny will inevitably intensify on Kohli’s prolonged struggles. His repeated dismissals in a similar manner raise concerns, and social media discussions are bound to heat up as debates around his place in the XI resurface.
Late Collapse Raises Questions
Despite India’s dominance for most of the run chase, the team suffered a familiar hiccup in the final 15 overs. Following Rohit’s dismissal, Shreyas Iyer was run out, KL Rahul succumbed to a well-directed bouncer from Jamie Overton, and Hardik Pandya fell to another short ball from Gus Atkinson. Although these dismissals did not alter the outcome, they exposed a recurring vulnerability in India’s middle order.
This issue was evident in the first ODI in Nagpur as well, where Axar Patel, KL Rahul, and Gill fell in quick succession. The latest collapse serves as a reminder that India needs to address their ability to close out matches efficiently. Fortunately, Axar Patel once again stepped up, finishing unbeaten on 41 off 29 balls, ensuring India crossed the finish line comfortably.
Ravindra Jadeja’s Masterclass With the Ball
Earlier in the day, it was Ravindra Jadeja who set the tone with a brilliant spell of left-arm spin. The all-rounder was at his miserly best, returning with figures of 10-1-35-3, tying down England’s batters in the middle overs and preventing them from accelerating.
This was Jadeja’s second consecutive three-wicket haul in the series, reaffirming his status as India’s premier spinner heading into the Champions Trophy. Debutant Varun Chakravarthy also impressed, dismissing Phil Salt early and maintaining a tight line and length to finish with figures of 1/54 from his 10 overs.
England’s Batting Falls Short
Jos Buttler’s England finally showed some intent with the bat, crossing the 300-run mark for the first time in this white-ball series. The visitors started well, consolidated in the middle and launched an assault in the final five overs to post a competitive total of 305. However, given how comprehensively India chased it down, it was evident that England’s total was still below par.
Former England captain Kevin Pietersen did not hold back in his assessment of England’s batting. He criticized the batters for being content with scores of 50s and 60s instead of converting them into match-defining hundreds. He singled out Ben Duckett for squandering a promising start, expressing frustration at England’s lack of hunger to score big.
Pietersen’s comments were vindicated by the way India approached their chase. Rohit Sharma, despite being under immense pressure to regain form, took his time before capitalizing on scoring opportunities, eventually going past 100. In contrast, England’s set batters, including Joe Root and Duckett, perished without maximizing their starts.
Despite a late flourish that saw England add 70 runs in the final 10 overs, their innings lacked the firepower required to challenge India. With the series already lost, England must go back to the drawing board and reassess their approach. Their current style of cricket under Jos Buttler and Brendon McCullum has lacked direction, and unless they make significant adjustments, they risk underwhelming performances in the upcoming Champions Trophy.
As the teams head into the third and final ODI, India will aim for a clean sweep, while England will seek redemption. For now, though, the headlines belong to Rohit Sharma and his majestic hundred that reaffirmed India’s dominance in white-ball cricket.
