Root's 99 not out helps England win to level series

Second ODI, Cardiff India 233 (44 overs): Iyer 66 (71); Archer 3-47 England 235-6 (44.1 overs): Root 99* (133); Brar 2-67 England won by 4 wickets England relied on Joe Root’s unbeaten 99 to chase 234 and level the ODI series against India at Cardiff. After losing Ben Duckett on the opening ball to Jasprit Bumrah, England slumped to 15‑2 when Jacob Bethell fell to Prasidh Krishna for four. A 45‑run stand for the third wicket followed before Harry Brook was run out attempting a ramp shot for 16. Root remained unbeaten, weathering the loss of Sam Curran and Jos Buttler, and forged crucial partnerships with Will Jacks and Gus Atkinson to steer England home with 5.5 overs to spare; Atkinson struck the winning boundary with three runs required. Earlier, Virat Kohli’s 65 had taken India to 178‑3 in the 32nd over, but his top edge to third man off Jofra Archer triggered a collapse. Archer claimed Axar Patel and Shivam Dube to finish with 3‑47, while Saqib Mahmood removed Washington Sundar in the next over and ended with 2‑52. Shreyas Iyer added a resistant 66, but Atkinson struck twice in three balls to finish with 3‑50. England’s bowlers restricted India to 233, taking the final seven wickets for 55 runs and leaving six overs unused. The series decider will be held at Lord’s on Sunday, after England swept the preceding T20 series 4‑0.