India Win Series as Rohit Sharma Hits 32nd ODI Century

India secured a 2-0 series win against England with a four-wicket victory in the second ODI at Cuttack, as Rohit Sharma silenced critics with his 32nd ODI century. Chasing 305, Rohit led from the front with a dominant 119 off 90 balls, hitting 12 fours and seven sixes. Despite a few hiccups in the chase, Axar Patel’s unbeaten 41 ensured India got over the line with 33 balls to spare.

England’s Batting Falters Despite Promising Start

England’s innings lacked a big score, despite seven players reaching double figures. Joe Root top-scored with 69 off 72 balls, while Ben Duckett contributed 65. Their 304-run total seemed competitive but not daunting on a good batting track. Ravindra Jadeja was India’s best bowler, taking 3 for 35, while the visitors suffered from poor shot selection and three run-outs.

Rohit and Gill Give India a Strong Start

India’s chase began in explosive fashion, with Rohit setting the tone. After a scratchy start, he launched into England’s bowlers, hitting elegant sixes off Gus Atkinson and Saqib Mahmood. A floodlight failure in the seventh over caused a 40-minute delay, but Rohit continued his assault, bringing up a 30-ball fifty. Shubman Gill played a supporting role, scoring 60 off 45, and their 114-run opening stand put India in control.

Middle-Order Stumbles as Kohli Departs Early

Gill’s dismissal to a yorker from Jamie Overton brought Virat Kohli to the crease, but his stay was brief. He edged an Adil Rashid leg-break to the keeper after scoring just 4. Despite this, India remained on course. Rohit reached his century with a lofted six off Rashid but fell to Liam Livingstone when 85 runs were still needed. A mini-collapse followed, with Shreyas Iyer getting run out for 44.

Axar Patel, however, held his nerve, guiding India home with a calm 41 not out. Jadeja sealed the win with a boundary, capping off another dominant display. With his 38th birthday approaching, Rohit’s innings reaffirmed his value as India’s ODI leader, while England’s issues with middle-order collapses continued to haunt them.