Sun Feb 09 09:30:00 UTC 2025: ## India’s Jadeja Shines as England Post 304 in Cuttack ODI
**Cuttack, Odisha –** Ravindra Jadeja spearheaded India’s bowling attack with a three-wicket haul, but England still managed to post a challenging 304 runs in the second ODI at the Barabati Stadium on Sunday. Despite Jadeja’s impressive performance, England’s batting lineup, fueled by fifties from Joe Root and Ben Duckett, and late-innings contributions from Liam Livingstone (41) and Adil Rashid, proved too strong for the hosts.
England, winning the toss and electing to bat, enjoyed a strong start with an 81-run opening partnership between Phil Salt and Ben Duckett. While Salt was eventually dismissed by Varun Chakaravarthy for his maiden ODI wicket, Duckett continued his aggressive play before falling to Jadeja for a well-played fifty. Root anchored the innings, reaching his half-century and forming a crucial partnership with Jos Buttler. However, India fought back with wickets at crucial junctures, with Shubman Gill taking two spectacular catches. Harry Brook also fell to a brilliant catch by Gill off Harshit Rana.
Jadeja was the pick of the Indian bowlers, finishing with figures of 3/35, securing two crucial dismissals including that of Joe Root. Other Indian bowlers, including Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Hardik Pandya, and Mohammed Shami, each claimed a wicket.
India now face the task of chasing down 305 runs to win the match and clinch the ODI series. The match marks the ODI debut for Varun Chakaravarthy, who became India’s oldest ODI debutant at 33 years and 164 days. Virat Kohli returned to the Indian side after missing the first ODI due to a knee injury. The Barabati Stadium has historically favored teams batting second, adding another layer of intrigue to the contest.
First Piper 