England were comprehensively beaten again in the second one-day international in Cuttack as India clinched the series with a match to spare.
After setting their hosts 305 to win, England’s struggles on tour continued as captain Rohit Sharma hit a majestic 119 from 90 balls to power India towards victory.
The opener was caught after miscuing a Liam Livingstone full toss in the 30th over but by that stage only a further 85 runs were needed. India stuttered but still won with four wickets and 33 balls remaining.
While Rohit’s century was his first for India for 11 months, England are still searching for form under new coach Brendon McCullum.
They wasted a platform set through an opening partnership of 81 by Ben Duckett and Phil Salt, failing to kick on after Duckett was caught for 65.
Despite all of England’s top six making it beyond 25, Joe Root was the highest scorer with 69 and England were dismissed with a ball remaining in their 50 overs.
The final match of the series, England’s last before their Champions Trophy opener against Australia on 22 February, is in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.
England will assess the fitness of all-rounder Jacob Bethell in the coming days after a hamstring injury ruled him out in Cuttack and left his participation in the Champions Trophy in real doubt. Rohit rallies as England punished again
England have now lost six of seven matches on this tour – one that was supposed to mark the start of a new era under McCullum and an upturn in results.
Their batting was improved on the 4-1 T20 series defeat and 248 all out on Thursday, but as a tendency to collapse was overcome, another issue – a failure to capitalise on starts – reared its head.
The fact no batter progressed to three figures cost them. England’s total was made to look well below par when batting became easier under the lights.
India’s spinners went at less than a run per ball while England’s quicks – Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, Saqib Mahmood and Mark Wood all selected, with Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse rested – were punished as they hammered the middle of the pitch.
Rohit timed anything full and flogged anything short. A six over mid-wicket off Atkinson hinted at the 37-year-old’s return to form. Two more inside the first six overs confirmed it.
(BBCSport)
