India secured a thrilling four-wicket victory against England in the second ODI held in Cuttack on February 9, 2025, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Skipper Rohit Sharma led from the front with a magnificent 119-run knock off 90 balls, ensuring a successful chase of England’s formidable 305-run target.

England's Innings: A Strong Start but a Faltering Finish

Winning the toss and opting to bat first, England posted a competitive total of 304 runs in their allotted 50 overs. The visitors got off to a solid start, with opener Phil Salt contributing 45 runs before falling to Mohammed Siraj. Joe Root (69) and Ben Duckett (65) steadied the innings with a crucial partnership, guiding England past the 200-run mark by the 35th over.

However, England's middle order crumbled under pressure as India's bowlers, led by Ravindra Jadeja, tightened their grip on the game. Jadeja was exceptional, taking three wickets for just 35 runs in his 10 overs, including the prized scalps of Root and Jos Buttler. Despite late fireworks from Liam Livingstone (38 off 22 balls), England couldn’t accelerate as expected in the death overs, finishing at 304/8.

India's Chase: Rohit Sharma's Masterclass

Chasing 305, India needed a solid start, and the opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill delivered just that. The duo put on a 112-run partnership before Gill was dismissed for a well-made 60. Rohit continued his dominance, punishing England’s bowlers with exquisite strokeplay. His 49th international century was filled with 15 boundaries and 4 sixes, putting India in firm control.

However, the chase got tricky when India lost quick wickets in the middle overs. Virat Kohli (22), Shreyas Iyer (17), and KL Rahul (8) couldn’t capitalize, bringing some tension to the Indian camp. At 250/5, the match was still open, but all-rounders Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja held their nerves. Axar played a crucial unbeaten knock of 41, ensuring India reached the target in 44.3 overs with four wickets in hand.

Key Moments of the Match:

Rohit Sharma’s Masterclass: The Indian captain’s 119-run knock was the backbone of the chase, ensuring a smooth path to victory.

Ravindra Jadeja’s All-round Performance: His three wickets and vital finishing touches with the bat made a significant difference.

England’s Middle-Order Collapse: After a strong start, the visitors struggled to keep momentum in the last 15 overs.

Series Status and Upcoming Match:

With this victory, India has taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The final ODI will be played in Ahmedabad on February 12, where India will look to complete a clean sweep, while England will aim to salvage some pride.

Post-Match Reactions:

Speaking after the match, Rohit Sharma said, “The plan was simple – stay on the pitch and keep the scoreboard ticking. It’s always great to contribute in a big run chase.” Meanwhile, England captain Jos Buttler admitted that his team needs to improve in crucial phases, saying, “We had a good start, but we lost momentum towards the end. We need to be sharper in the next game.”

Looking Ahead:

England will need to rethink their strategies, especially in middle-order batting and death bowling, if they want to compete in the final game. On the other hand, India, riding on this dominant performance, will aim for another clinical display.

Overall, the match in Cuttack provided fans with an exciting contest, showcasing brilliant individual performances and team efforts. As both teams head to Ahmedabad, all eyes will be on whether India completes a clean sweep or England makes a strong comeback.