Cuttack: India beat England by four wickets in the second ODI at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Sunday, February 9, 2025, to claim an unassailable 2-1 lead in the three-match series. With this win, India not only took an unassailable lead in the series but also maintained an unbeaten run at home against England in the ODI series for the last 40 years.
Rohit Sharma (119), Shubman Gill (60), and a series of contributions by Shreyas Iyer (44) and Axar Patel powered India to complete the chase of 305 runs with ease. The win ensured that India had a 40-year stranglehold over England in the home ODI series, as they haven’t lost to them in a series on home soil since 1985.
England’s 304 batting first included half-centuries from Joe Root and Ben Duckett and a proper 41 from Liam Livingstone. But India’s openers exploded, however. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill blasted 136 runs for the first wicket to give the middle-order a platform to build on. India chased down the total with four wickets in hand, even after a floodlight failure temporarily interrupted play for 20 minutes.
Floodlight Failure Halts Play, but India Overcomes
During India’s chase in the second ODI, one of the floodlights failed, leading to a temporary stoppage. The short circuit also plunged one area of Barabati Stadium into darkness for 20 minutes, affecting the match’s continuous flow. The technicians eventually sorted the problem, and play was able to continue after a short delay, with players and supporters alike thankful that there was now nothing stopping them from getting on with it.
This delay led to several comments on social media questioning whether the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) was ready for hosting high-stakes international matches. Barabati Stadium has had problems with its facilities, raising questions about its suitability to host elite matches.
This was also the match in which Rohit Sharma produced a stunning century (his first in 16 months). India was reduced to 219/4, and Chahal’s twin strikes saw the score fall to a precarious 219/5, but Rohit scored 119 off 90 balls with 12 fours and seven sixes as he looked to take India home. This was Rohit’s 32nd ODI ton, and his fifth century , which finished with a six, further enhanced his image as one of limited-overs cricket’s most savage hitters.
Continue Reading India Hang Tough At Home
With this emphatic victory, India has maintained their dominance over England in the ODI series in home conditions. Moreover, the Indians had never lost any ODI series in India against England since 1985, so they looked strong at home.
Having already won the series, India will be looking to ensure a series whitewash as they prepare for the final match against South Africa. Both sides will want to continue their momentum into their next game, which is vital for both, ahead of a slew of international tournaments.