Cardiff: Joe Root guides England to victory against India, highlights young batters’ learning curve

By Oliver Harrington — 16 July 2026 — 4 min read

England secured a four-wicket victory over India in the second one-day international in Cardiff, leveling the series ahead of the decider at Lord’s. The win was largely propelled by Joe Root’s unbeaten 99 runs, achieved in challenging conditions. Following the match, Root commented on the current state of 50-over cricket for young English batters, suggesting they are often compelled to "learn on the job" due to limited exposure to the format.

The match saw England successfully chase down India’s total of 233, reaching 234 in the 45th over. Root’s innings was characterized by strike rotation and playing the ball late, a style that contrasted with some of the aggressive batting seen from the 2019 World Cup-winning squad. He emphasized the importance of adaptability, especially on wickets that do not favor high-scoring games.

Learning on the Job

Root, 35, highlighted a significant challenge for the current crop of young players: a lack of extensive experience in 50-over cricket. He noted that the domestic One-Day Cup is played concurrently with The Hundred, which has led to it becoming more of a developmental tournament. This scheduling means that players entering the national team often lack the "wealth of experience and understanding" of the format that might be found in other cricketing nations.

The collective experience of England’s top six batters in this match was notably less than their India counterparts in List A cricket, with a difference of over 400 matches. Root acknowledged that this situation necessitates players learning quickly under match pressure. He stressed the need for batters to develop a range of gears, enabling them to adapt to different pitch conditions, whether it’s a surface where 400 runs is a par score or one requiring a more gritty approach.

Root pointed out that while many players excel at manipulating the field and taking on the game in T20 cricket, the challenge lies in performing effectively on difficult wickets. He described this as "doing it ugly and just getting over the line," a skill he believes is crucial for success in varied ODI scenarios.

Match Dynamics and Team Performance

The victory was particularly significant for England, who have faced inconsistency in recent ODI matches. The defeat in the series opener at Edgbaston marked their 14th loss in 20 matches. The team is currently ranked eighth in the world, and securing a top-nine position is essential for automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup.

Despite their recent struggles, Root expressed optimism, hoping the team would be judged on their recent adaptability. He cited an earlier series against Sri Lanka where England recovered from an initial setback to win the series, demonstrating their capacity to learn and adjust quickly. He also mentioned that in the Edgbaston match of the current series, the team "didn’t read the situation or the surface as quickly as we’d have liked but we found a way to scrap, and then we’ve learned from that and understood how to go about it in this innings here."

England’s top order has been in flux, with the team still searching for a consistent opening partner for Ben Duckett. Jacob Bethell, with only 23 ODIs under his belt, has taken on this role, scoring 14 and four in his recent appearances. Root and former captain Jos Buttler, with 191 and 201 ODI caps respectively, are the only remaining batters from England’s 2019 World Cup triumph.

In the recent match, England captain Harry Brook managed his bowlers effectively, contributing to India’s total of 233 in 44 overs. Jofra Archer was a key performer with three wickets for 47 runs. Brook himself was dismissed for 16, attempting an ambitious ramp shot. India’s Virat Kohli scored 65 runs from 66 balls, while Shreyas Iyer contributed 66 runs from 71 balls, including five fours and two sixes.

The partnership between Root and Will Jacks, who scored 30 from 44 balls, was crucial, adding 72 runs for the sixth wicket. Gus Atkinson then made an unbeaten 23, following his figures of three wickets for 50 runs. Root was just one run shy of his 21st ODI century when Atkinson hit the winning runs, but Root appeared unfazed, prioritizing the team’s victory. He expressed delight that the team found a way to win that didn’t necessarily suit some players’ usual styles, viewing it as a significant step forward against the world’s top-ranked team. The series decider against India is scheduled to take place at Lord’s on Sunday.

Source: bbc.co.uk