Joe Root masterclass guides England to ODI series levelling win over India

Root fell just short of another ODI century but played a crucial unbeaten innings as England defeated India by four wickets in Cardiff to level the three-match series.

The Yorkshireman scored 99 not out from 133 balls as England chased down India’s 233 with 5.5 overs remaining, guiding his side through a difficult run chase after regular wickets had left the hosts under pressure.

The former England captain looked set to bring up his 21st ODI hundred, but Gus Atkinson hit the winning boundary with three runs required to secure victory and leave Root stranded one run short.

England’s chase got off to the worst possible start when Ben Duckett edged Jasprit Bumrah behind from the first ball of the innings.

Jacob Bethell was also caught behind soon after, dismissed for four by Prasidh Krishna, before captain Harry Brook’s aggressive approach ended when he was caught attempting a ramp shot for 16.

Root was joined by Sam Curran as England looked to rebuild, but Curran fell for 26 after edging behind. Jos Buttler then departed for 20 after being bowled attempting to attack Axar Patel.

With wickets falling around him, Root remained patient and adapted well to a challenging pitch, building important partnerships with Will Jacks and Atkinson to take England close to their target.

Jacks contributed 30 before he was caught at cover with England still needing 37 runs, but Root remained composed to complete the chase alongside Atkinson.

The 34-year-old reached his half-century from 76 deliveries, with his slower approach reflecting the difficulty of the conditions and the quality of India’s bowling attack.

Root’s innings was built on rotating the strike and playing late, allowing England to stay in control despite losing wickets at regular intervals.

Archer and Atkinson lead England bowling fightback

Earlier, India were bowled out for 233 after England’s bowlers recovered strongly following a promising start from the visitors.

Virat Kohli top scored for India with 65 and appeared well set before Jofra Archer dismissed him with a top edge caught at deep third.

India had reached 178-3 in the 32nd over and looked on course for a significantly bigger total, but England took seven wickets for just 55 runs to restrict them.

Archer finished with figures of 3-47, using extra bounce effectively to remove Kohli, Axar Patel and Shivam Dube.

Saqib Mahmood also impressed with 2-52, while Atkinson took 3-50 to complete an excellent all-round performance.

Shreyas Iyer provided resistance for India with 66, but Atkinson removed him late in the innings as England prevented the visitors from building momentum.

Jasprit Bumrah added an unbeaten 20 from 16 balls, including one six and three fours, but India were unable to bat through their full 50-over allocation, being dismissed with six overs unused.