Second ODI, Cardiff

India 233 (44 overs): level 66 (71); Archer 3-47

England 235-6 (44.1 overs): Root 99* (133); Bra 2-67

England won by four wickets

Scorekeeper

England needed a rescue act from Joe Root once again as his 99 not out led a tough chase of 234 against India in Cardiff to level the one-day international series against India.

With wickets falling around him regularly, Root provided a masterclass in adapting to difficult conditions and took England to their target with 5.5 overs to spare, but was denied a century when Gus Atkinson hit the winning boundary with three runs needed to win.

Root was immediately tasked with rebuilding a chaotic start to the chase after Ben Duckett was dismissed from the first ball of the innings.

Duckett cut behind Jasprit Bumrah, Jacob Bethell fell likewise to Prasidh Krishna for four and after a third-wicket stand of 45, frantic captain Harry Brook got out in calamitous fashion trying to edge the keeper for 16.

Root was given no chance and held firm after the departures of Sam Curran and Jos Buttler, before finding valuable support in partnerships with Will Jacks and Gus Atkinson to take England over the finish line in a gripping contest between bat and ball.

Earlier, Virat Kohli had looked in ominous form for his 65, but England’s bowlers fought back brilliantly to take the last seven wickets for just 55 runs, while India were bowled out for 233 and, crucially, left six overs of their innings unspent.

The visitors looked set for a commanding total when Kohli took them to 178-3 in the 32nd minute, but his superior lead into third place off Jofra Archer proved decisive.

The dismissal gave life to England’s seamers as Saqib Mahmood removed Washington Sundar in the next over, and Archer added Axar Patel and Shivam Dube to his tally to finish with 3-47.

Shreyas Iyer threatened a late comeback with his 66, but Atkinson took two wickets in three balls to complete an excellent bowling performance – Atkinson finished with 3-50 and Mahmood 2-52.

The series decider will take place at Lord’s on Sunday after England dominated the previous T20 series 4-0.