Sun Feb 09 12:50:00 UTC 2025: ## India Dominates England in Cuttack ODI Thriller

**Cuttack, India:** India emphatically defeated England in the second ODI of their three-match series, chasing down a challenging 304-run target with relative ease. The victory puts India 2-0 up in the series.

Rohit Sharma stole the show, smashing a breathtaking 76-ball century – his 32nd in ODIs – after a shaky start to his recent form. He was ably supported by Shubman Gill, who scored a stylish 60 before falling to a stunning yorker from Jamie Overton. The pair put on a whirlwind 136-run opening stand in just 100 balls, setting the tone for India’s dominant chase. Shreyas Iyer also contributed significantly after Virat Kohli’s dismissal, offering a strong supporting role to Rohit’s spectacular innings.

England’s innings was marked by a frustrating inability to build substantial partnerships despite promising starts. Phil Salt (51) and Ben Duckett (65) provided a solid opening stand of 81 runs, but a flurry of wickets in the middle and death overs hampered their progress. Harry Brook (31) and Joe Root (69) showed glimpses of brilliance, but their dismissals, along with those of Jos Buttler (34) and others, prevented England from reaching a truly imposing total. Liam Livingstone and Adil Rashid provided a late flourish to push England past 300.

The match was briefly interrupted by a significant power outage in the stadium, causing a delay of over 20 minutes during India’s innings. The interruption briefly disrupted Rohit’s rhythm, but he quickly regained his composure upon resumption.

While England’s total proved insufficient, their inability to convert promising starts into substantial partnerships underscored their ongoing struggles against spin bowling. India, in contrast, showcased a well-balanced team performance, with both their batsmen and bowlers performing exceptionally well. The victory firmly established India’s dominance in the series and provided a significant boost of confidence heading into the ICC Champions Trophy.

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