Ton-up Rohit Sharma helps India beat England in Cuttack ODI
What's the story
India claimed an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-ODI series after beating England at the Barabati Stadium, Cuttack.
The Men in Blue successfully chased down 305, riding on an incredible century from skipper Rohit Sharma. His century-plus stand with Shubman Gill laid the foundation for India's win.
Ben Duckett and Joe Root earlier slammed half-centuries for England, while Ravindra Jadeja took three wickets.
Summary
How the 2nd ODI panned out
Duckett and Philip Salt added an 81-run opening stand after England elected to bat.
Although Salt departed, Duckett and Root bolstered England in middle overs. Liam Livingstone's 41(32) powered England to 304.
A 136-run opening stand between Rohit and Gill made India's run-chase one-sided. Rohit slammed a match-winning ton before India suffered a collapse.
However, Axar Patel ensured India's four-wicket win in 44.3 overs.
Rohit ton
Rohit bounces back with audacious ton
Rohit defended a few balls initially after taking strike. However, he didn't let the bowlers settle and exhibited his endearing strokes.
While Gill held one end, Rohit's exploits took India to 77/0 after 10 overs. The Indian skipper continued his counter-attack and raced to his century off just 76 balls.
He smacked a 90-ball 119 (12 fours and 7 sixes) before falling to Livingstone.
Runs
Fourth-most ODI runs among Indians
Rohit has raced to 10,987 runs at an average of 49.26 in ODIs.
He surpassed the legendary Rahul Dravid in terms of ODI runs among Indian batters. The latter slammed 10,889 runs for India, Asia, and ICC in his illustrious career.
Rohit is now only behind Sachin Tendulkar (18,426), Virat Kohli (13,911), and Sourav Ganguly (11,363) on this elite list.
Record
Other notable records set by Rohit
Rohit now owns the second-most sixes in ODI history (338). Before the match, Rohit was tied with Chris Gayle at 331 sixes.
Rohit reached his ton from 76 balls, now his second-fastest in ODIs (by balls).
The Indian batter has overall smacked 49 international tons, equaling Australia's David Warner. He now has 32 ODI tons, the third-most in the format.
Gill knock
Gill slams his 15th ODI fifty
While Rohit played his counter-attacking strokes, Gill constantly rotated the strike. He hammered 60(52), a knock laced with 9 fours and a six.
Gill scored a half-century in his second successive ODI. He slammed a match-winning 87 in the series opener for India.
In Cuttack, the Indian batter raced to his 15th half-century in ODI cricket. He also owns six tons in the format.
Shreyas Iyer
Iyer races to 2,500 ODI runs
Days after slamming a match-winning fifty on his ODI comeback, Iyer was well poised for another fifty-plus score.
However, his effort was reduced to a 47-ball 44 with an untimely run-out. His knock was laced with 3 fours and a six.
Iyer, who also added 70 runs with Rohit, completed 2,500 runs in ODI cricket. He came into this contest with 2,480 runs.
Jadeja
Jadeja takes three wickets for India
Jadeja was India's best bowler in the match as he conceded just 35 runs in 10 overs, including a maiden.
His first breakthrough came in the form of Duckett, who was eyeing a century. He departed for a 56-ball 65.
England's other half-centurion Root was the next big fish caught by Jadeja. The Indian spinner next dismissed Jamie Overton for 6(10).
Bunny
Joint-most successful bowler against Root (ODIs)
Jadeja is now the joint-most successful bowler versus Root in ODI cricket, with New Zealand's Trent Boult. The duo has dismissed Root five times.
As per ESPNcricinfo, across 11 innings, Root has scored 126 runs from 147 balls bowled by Jadeja.
Root has faced 66 dot balls in addition to hitting 6 fours and 4 sixes. His strike-rate is 85.71.
Root
Root goes past Eoin Morgan on this list
Root smashed a 72-ball 69, his 40th ODI half-century. He also has 16 tons in the format.
The 34-year-old now has the most fifty-plus scores for England in ODIs, breaking a tie with his former captain, Eoin Morgan. Root owns 56 such scores compared to Morgan's 55. The latter recorded 42 ODI fifties.
No other England batter has even 40 fifty-plus scores in ODIs.
Duckett
Duckett slams his sixth ODI fifty
While Salt played second fiddle, Duckett attacked from the other end. The latter joined forces with Root thereafter.
However, Jadeja dismissed Duckett against the run of play in the 16th over. The England batter slammed a 56-ball 65 (10 fours).
In 18 ODIs, the England opener has smashed 797 runs at an average of 46.88. His tally includes six fifties and two tons.
Chakravarthy
Second-oldest debutant for India (ODIs)
Debutant Varun Chakravarthy took a wicket for 54 runs in 10 overs.
As per Cricbuzz, he is the second-oldest debutant for India in ODIs, at 33 years and 164 days. He is only behind Farookh Engineer (36y 138d), who made his debut in 1974 against England in Leeds.
Chakravarthy is India's oldest debutant outside of their inaugural match in the ODI format in 1974.
Milestone
Rohit's memorable 50th appearance as ODI skipper
Rohit ruled the roost in his 50th ODI as captain. He became the eighth player to lead India in ODIs.
He has joined the likes of MS Dhoni (200), Mohammad Azharuddin (174), Ganguly (146), Kohli (95), Dravid (79), Kapil Dev (74), and Tendulkar (73).
Notably, Rohit first led the Indian side in a 50-over game back in 2017.