England, having won the toss, chose to bat first on a pitch that traditionally supports both pace and spin in equal measure. The opening pair, Ben Duckett and Phil Salt, started strongly, with Duckett racing to a brisk half-century. However, the English innings faced an uphill battle as they lost momentum against a disciplined Indian bowling attack led by Ravindra Jadeja, who ended up with figures of 3 for 35.
England managed to reach a competitive total of 304 runs, thanks to contributions from Joe Root (69) and several others, but the innings was cut short by tight bowling from the likes of Mohammed Shami and Harshit Rana, who both picked up a wicket wickets each.
With this victory, India has not only secured the series but also boosted their confidence ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025. For England, the loss serves as a learning curve, especially in adapting to subcontinental conditions. They will look to regroup and pose a stronger challenge in the final ODI.
As the series heads to its conclusion, cricket enthusiasts can only anticipate more exciting cricket. Both teams have shown why they are among the best in the world, with performances that blend strategy, skill, and the unpredictable nature of the sport.
The second ODI at Barabati Stadium will be remembered for Rohit Sharma’s masterful century, Jadeja’s crucial spell, and the resilience shown by both teams. With India claiming the series, the focus now shifts to how England will respond in the final match and what adjustments both teams might make for future encounters.