Cuttack: England were comprehensively beaten again in the second one-day international at Barabati Stadium here 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.
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