Joe Root surpasses Virat Kohli’s ODI record unbeaten 99 against India | Cricket News

Joe Root catches Virat Kohli (Image: X)

Joe Root produced another masterclass in chasing to guide England to a four-wicket win over India in the second ODI in Cardiff, finishing unbeaten on 99 and helping the hosts level the three-match series 1-1. And first Virat Kohli usually while chasing. Walking on the very first ball of England’s innings after Ben Duckett was dismissed for a duck, Root soaked up early pressure from Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna before taking complete control of the 234-run chase. His comprehensive 99* from 133 deliveries, with nine boundaries, anchored England’s innings as he stitched key partnerships with Sam Curran, Will Jacks and Gus Atkinson to send the hosts home.The knock also saw Root overtake Virat Kohli in the list of highest batting average in successful ODI run chases (minimum 2,000 runs).Highest batting average in successful ODI chases (min. 2,000 runs):

After the win, Root said the result was more important than the lost century.“Being there at the end and getting the job done is probably the best feeling you can get in cricket. You don’t play for milestones; you play to win games. The series is alive now, and that’s exactly where we want to go now,” Root said in the post match presentation. Reflecting on the chase, Root admitted the batting was challenging throughout the match and credited England’s bowlers for keeping India at bay after the Kohli-Iyer partnership threatened to take the game away.“Batting was tough all game. Our bowlers did a great job of picking things up after that partnership and gave us a score we felt we could chase. We knew we needed time to bat, absorb the pressure in the innings and stay calm. Sometimes you have to win ugly and ugly, and today is one of those days,” he added.

Root chased down the target with ease

India squandered a commanding position after being asked to lead at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. Despite a strong 114-run stand between Virat Kohli (65) and Shreyas Iyer (66) that took the visitors to 180/3, a dramatic middle-order collapse saw them lose their last seven wickets for 53 runs and were bowled out for 233. Jofra Archer (3/47) and Gus Atkinson (3/50) starred with the ball, while Jasprit Bumrah’s unbeaten 20 helped India cross the 230 mark.England’s chase got off to a disastrous start as Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Ben Duckett on the first ball of the innings before Prasidh Krishna reduced the hosts to 8/2. However, Joe Root anchored the chase with a superb 99 off 133 balls *, receiving vital support from Will Jacks (30), Sam Curran (26) and *Gus Atkinson (23) **. Atkinson hit the winner to seal a four-wicket victory, leaving Root badly stranded one run short of a century.The result tied the three-match ODI series 1-1, with the decider scheduled to be played at Lord’s on July 19.