2nd ODI Updates: Iyer unleashes fireworks to smash fifty

Jofra Archer continues, and Shreyas Iyer reaches a well-deserved milestone.

Iyer starts the over with a solid defence before changing gears in style. He picks up a short delivery and dispatches it over the ropes for a maximum, bringing up his half-century in just 42 balls.

The right-hander raises his bat to acknowledge the applause as India find a much-needed moment of momentum.

Iyer keeps the strike moving, guiding one towards point and later pulling a short ball through backward square leg for a single. Axar Patel sees out the final delivery of the over.

Seven runs come off it, taking India to 188/5 after 34 overs.

Saqib Mahmood is brought back into the attack, and England strike again.

Washington Sundar begins with a solid drive back towards the bowler before working one off his pads through midwicket for a single. India miss out on a chance for more as a slight miscommunication in running costs them.

Iyer continues to keep the scoreboard moving, punching one on the up through the covers for another single.

Then Mahmood produces the breakthrough. The England quick bangs one in short, and Sundar is rushed by the extra bounce. He goes for the hook but only gets a glove, with the ball looping up safely for Jos Buttler behind the stumps.

Sundar departs for just 2 off 5 balls, as England continue to chip away at India's middle order.

India 179-4 (32 Ovs) vs England | SCORECARD

India 168-3 (30 Ovs) vs England | SCORECARD

Gus Atkinson is back into the attack, with England searching for another breakthrough.

Kohli starts the over by working one behind square leg for a single, while Iyer remains watchful, playing a soft-handed shot into the off side.

Then comes a moment of drama. Iyer rides the bounce and guides one towards point. The ball hangs in the air for a while, and Ben Duckett charges across, dives full stretch and gets both hands to it -- but the ball pops out as he hits the ground. It would have been a stunning catch.

Iyer makes England pay immediately, cracking the next delivery away for four. He takes a single to finish the over.

Six runs come off it, taking India to 155/3 after 28 overs.

Will Jacks continues, but Kohli and Iyer are happy to keep things ticking, picking up singles and rotating the strike.

Five runs come from the over, with India reaching 160/3 after 29 overs.

Atkinson continues, and Kohli welcomes him back in style.

The former captain leans into a delivery and punches it away for four. He then rides the bounce and pulls one in front of square, with Duckett chasing it down to restrict the damage to two runs.

Kohli finds another single before Iyer faces a slower delivery. Looking to pull, he is early into the shot and gets a top edge that flies over backward square leg. It lands safely, just short of Jofra Archer charging in.

A dot ball ends the over.

Eight runs come off it, and India move to 168/3 after 30 overs.

Will Jacks continues, with India looking to keep the scoreboard moving.

Kohli uses his experience, staying deep in the crease and working one away to deep square leg for a single. Iyer tries to find the gaps but picks out the midwicket fielder.

The left-hander then gets creative, crouching low and scooping one fine for a couple of runs. He follows it up with a controlled shot off a shortened length before unleashing a crisp boundary. A single off the final delivery keeps the strike rotating.

Seven runs come from the over, taking India to 140/3 after 26 overs.

Sam Curran continues, and Kohli reaches another landmark.

A length delivery is dispatched beautifully through the off side for four -- Virat Kohli brings up his fifty! The Cardiff crowd erupts as Kohli raises his bat and soaks in the applause.

He calmly defends the next ball before taking a single. Iyer then adds two runs with a sliced drive behind square and picks up another single after an excellent stop from Bethell at mid-off saves more runs.

Kohli keeps the strike with a single to finish the over.

Nine runs come off it, with India moving to 149/3 after 27 overs.

Adil Rashid returns to the attack, with England looking to keep the pressure on.

Kohli gets off strike early, opening the bat face and guiding one past cover for a single. Shreyas Iyer then gets going in style, stepping out and finding the boundary with a confident stroke. He follows it up with another single, while Kohli and Iyer continue to rotate the strike.

Kohli picks up another run through extra cover before Iyer sees out the final delivery.

Seven runs come off the over, taking India to 118/3 after 22 overs.

Sam Curran continues his brilliant spell. Kohli begins with two solid defences before working one towards mid-on for a single.

Iyer attempts to take on the bowler with a pull but misses, then settles back into defence. He takes a single off the final ball as Curran keeps things tight.

Just two runs come from the over, with India moving to 120/3 after 23 overs.

Will Jacks is brought back into the attack. Iyer works one past the bowler and collects a single down to long-on. Kohli tries to place one towards square leg but finds the fielder.

The former captain then finds a gap, driving neatly down to long-off for a single, before Iyer finishes the over with another run.

Three runs come off it, and India reach 123/3 after 24 overs.

Curran continues, starting with a bouncer. Iyer handles it well, pulling it away for a single. Kohli then rolls his wrists beautifully and pulls in front of square for another run.

Iyer flicks one to deep square leg, while Kohli nudges another single through mid-off to bring up a fluent 48 off 48 balls.

Iyer then shifts gears, hammering a boundary before punching one behind square on the off side for two more runs.

Ten runs come from the over as India move to 133/3 after 25 overs.

Sam Curran continues his excellent spell, and England strike again.

Kohli opens the face of the bat and guides one square of the wicket for a single, bringing Ishan Kishan back on strike.

Curran then tests the left-hander with a sharp short ball, which Ishan comfortably sways away from. But the England all-rounder follows it up with another bouncer -- and this time he gets his reward.

OUT! Caught and bowled! Ishan looks to fend it away, but the ball loops back towards Curran, who takes a sharp return catch.

A deserved wicket for Curran, who has been relentless with his accuracy and discipline. Ishan Kishan never managed to get going and departs for 1 off 8 balls.

India are now three down, with England firmly on top.

Sam Curran continues his impressive spell, keeping India tied down.

Kohli finds the cover fielder with a firm drive before finally getting off strike with a single off the next delivery. Ishan Kishan remains watchful, defending the rest of the over as Curran continues to build pressure.

Just one run comes from the over, with India reaching 105/2 after 19 overs.

The introduction of Will Jacks and Curran has slowed India's momentum -- the batters have managed only nine runs and lost one wicket in the last 20 balls as England tighten their grip.

Jacks continues, and Kohli looks to break the shackles. He defends the first delivery before squeezing one down to long-on for a single.

Ishan Kishan gets off the mark with a single, while Kohli then works one down to fine leg for two more runs. He blocks the next delivery before taking another single to keep the scoreboard moving.

Five runs come off the over, taking India to 110/2 after 20 overs.

India 104-2 (18 Ovs) vs England | SCORECARD

Adil Rashid continues, keeping the pressure on with his variations.

The leg-spinner starts with a googly that grips Kohli, who gets an inside edge onto his pads and finds no runs. A fuller delivery on the pads is worked away for a single as India's batters continue to rotate the strike.

Kohli and Rohit collect a few more singles before Kohli ends the over in style, stepping up and finding the boundary with a well-timed shot.

Seven runs come from the over, taking India to 81/1 after 13 overs.

Atkinson continues from the other end. Rohit begins with a solid defence before moving across his stumps and delicately scooping one fine for a single.

The batters keep the scoreboard ticking with another single each as England maintain control.

A quiet over from Atkinson -- just three runs come off it, with India at 84/1 after 14 overs.

Rashid continues his spell. Rohit starts cautiously, playing the ball back to the bowler before changing gears and using his feet to drive one down to long-on for a single.

Kohli looks to attack but finds the cover fielder with his straight drive. He soon switches gears, bringing out his trademark sweep and executing it beautifully for four.

He adds another single, while Rohit finishes the over with a quick run.

Seven runs come from Rashid's over, and India move to 91/1 after 15 overs.

Drinks are called, with India steadily rebuilding at 91/1.

Archer continues, with Rohit and Kohli looking to rebuild after Gill's departure.

Rohit gets off strike early, tucking a back-of-a-length delivery wide of mid-on for a single. Kohli settles in with a couple of solid defences before looking for a quick single into the off side. The ball races towards point, but the batters decide against the risky run.

Then comes the moment India have been waiting for -- Kohli opens his account in style. He leans into a beautiful drive and finds the gap for four. A trademark Kohli shot, followed by a single, as Rohit safely sees out the over.

Six runs come off it, with India reaching 50/1 after nine overs.

Atkinson continues and Kohli is beginning to look dangerous. He punches another delightful boundary, showing the timing and class that have defined his career.

He follows it up with a couple of runs before producing another vintage Kohli stroke, threading the field perfectly for four more. He defends the final ball to end a productive over.

Eleven runs come off it, taking India to 61/1 after 10 overs.

Spin is introduced as Adil Rashid comes into the attack. Rohit works one into the leg side for a single, while Kohli is watchful against the leg-spinner, pushing the ball back to the bowler.

India collect two more singles as Rashid begins with a tidy over.

Three runs come from it, with India at 64/1 after 11 overs.

Atkinson continues his spell and starts with a few tight deliveries, keeping Rohit quiet. He then surprises the opener with a short ball that beats Rohit's pull shot and is called wide.

Rohit gets back on strike and nudges one into the leg side, while Kohli times a grounded drive out to sweeper cover for another single.

Then Rohit finally unleashes -- a massive six! He clears the ropes with authority before a dot ball brings the over to an end.

Nine runs come off the over, and India move to 73/1 after 12 overs.

Saqib Mahmood continues, and Rohit gets off strike with a flick off his pads. It is ruled a leg bye.

At the other end, Gill is in complete control. The Indian skipper hammers back-to-back boundaries yet again, making it four boundaries in his last four scoring shots. He then presses forward to clip one through midwicket, with Gus Atkinson chasing it down to save a run as Gill comes back for three.

Rohit sees out the final two deliveries as India enjoy another productive over.

Twelve runs come off it, pushing India to 42/0 after six overs.

Jofra Archer begins his fourth over with a wide before tightening his lines. Gill defends a couple of deliveries and works a length ball behind square for a single as Archer tries to cramp him for room. Rohit is kept quiet, blocking out the remaining deliveries.

A tidy over from Archer, conceding just two runs, leaves India at 44/0 after seven overs.

Gus Atkinson is introduced into the attack in search of the breakthrough, and he delivers immediately.

Gill starts cautiously, defending the first ball, but his stay ends on the very next delivery. Looking to continue his attacking approach, he drives firmly but fails to keep the ball down, picking out Ben Duckett at cover.

It's a soft dismissal for the Indian skipper, who departs after a fluent 31 off 30 balls, bringing an end to India's opening stand.

India lose their first wicket, with Gill falling just as he looked set for another big score.

Saqib Mahmood continues his spell, and Gill remains patient early in the over, defending the first two deliveries before breaking the shackles with a crisp boundary.

Mahmood then strikes Gill on the pads, prompting a huge LBW appeal. The umpire is unmoved, but England opt for the review. UltraEdge reveals a clear inside edge, confirming the on-field decision as England lose a review.

Gill rotates the strike with a dab to third man for a single, while Rohit blocks out the final delivery.

Five runs come from the over, taking India to 22/0 after four overs.

Jofra Archer returns from the other end and keeps Gill quiet initially with a disciplined line. But the Indian skipper finishes the over in style, cracking back-to-back boundaries to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Gill is looking increasingly fluent at the crease, timing the ball beautifully.

Eight runs come off the over, with India moving to 30/0 after five overs.

Saqib Mahmood shares the new ball from the other end, with Gill facing up.

Gill begins watchfully, defending confidently from the front foot before getting India's first boundary of the innings. A full delivery on the pads is neatly clipped through midwicket for four. He follows it up with another solid defensive stroke, leaves one outside off, and then works a single to third man.

Rohit then produces the shot of the over, timing a glorious drive straight past mid-off. Harry Brook gives chase and does well to pull the ball back just before the ropes, restricting India to three runs instead of four.

A productive over for India as eight runs come off it, taking the visitors to 11/0 after two overs.

Archer returns for his second over. Rohit misses an attempted tuck first up, the ball brushing his thigh pad before rolling away harmlessly. He gets off strike with a flick to square leg for a single.

There is a muted LBW appeal against Gill, but the umpire shows no interest. Gill then defends a couple of deliveries before Rohit enjoys a huge slice of luck.

Dropped! Gus Atkinson puts down a straightforward chance. Archer bangs it in short and Rohit goes for the pull but is cramped for room. The ball balloons off the splice, only for Atkinson, moving to his left, to spill the catch.

England are left ruing the missed opportunity as six runs come from the over, with India reaching 17/0 after three overs.

Play gets underway in Cardiff. England, led by Harry Brook, take the field, while India's familiar opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill walk out to the middle.

Jofra Archer has the new ball in hand, with Rohit on strike.

Rohit gets India underway with a single off the opening delivery, while Archer also sprays one down the leg side that is called wide. The England quick quickly settles into his rhythm, beating Gill outside off before tightening his lines.

Gill gets off the mark with a composed single, and Rohit safely negotiates the remaining deliveries.

A tidy start from Archer and England, with just three runs coming from the opening over.

Here are the playing XIs

India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill(c), Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan(w), Shreyas Iyer, Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Gurnoor Brar, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna

England: Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook(c), Jos Buttler(w), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood

England won the toss and opted to bowl first in the second ODI at Cardiff.

England captain Harry Brook said the decision was influenced by the surface.

"We'll have a bowl today. There's a nice, even covering of grass on the pitch," Brook said at the toss.

India skipper Shubman Gill admitted he would have made the same call.

"We would have bowled first as well. The team is doing well and everyone's very happy. We had a near-perfect game in the first ODI and hopefully we can repeat that today. We started brilliantly, and it was great to see the fast bowlers perform so well. We also have very good memories here," Gill said.

Gill also confirmed one change to India's XI.

"KL Rahul is unwell, so Ishan Kishan comes in for him."

Conditions are ideal for cricket in Cardiff, with bright sunshine and warm weather greeting both teams. 

India are one win away from sealing the ODI series against England, but ahead of Wednesday's second match, skipper Shubman Gill's fitness and Rohit Sharma's form remain the two biggest talking points.

The six-wicket win in Birmingham handed India a 1-0 lead, but it also exposed concerns the team cannot afford to ignore.

Gill's Fitness a Priority

Gill's unbeaten 80 was cut short when he walked off the field in visible pain, raising fears of another injury setback. India will hope it was only cramps.

The concern is understandable. A similar episode during last year's first Test against South Africa ended with Gill being hospitalised and ruled out of the rest of the series. With Gill leading the side and setting the tone at the top, India cannot afford to lose him.

Rohit Running Out of Room for Error

Rohit's challenge is different.

Since relinquishing the captaincy, the opener has dialled down his trademark aggression, but the tactical shift has yet to translate into consistent match-winning scores.

His returns--563 runs in 13 ODIs at 46.91, including a century and four fifties--are solid on paper. Yet, they do not fully reflect the scrutiny surrounding him.

Without the captaincy to shield him, every innings carries greater weight. At 39, and with India already looking ahead to the 2027 World Cup, Rohit knows he has little room for an extended slump.

The selectors' recent decisions to move past Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson underline a clear message: reputations alone will not guarantee opportunities. With Ishan Kishan waiting in the wings, pressure on Rohit is only growing.

Kohli on Stronger Footing

Virat Kohli, by contrast, has given the team management little to worry about.

Since October 2025, the former captain has amassed 621 runs in just 10 ODIs at a remarkable average of 77.62, striking three centuries and three fifties. His form and fitness make him one of India's biggest certainties.

Bumrah Back to His Best

The biggest positive from the series opener was Jasprit Bumrah's return to ODI cricket for the first time since the 2023 World Cup final.

After an underwhelming IPL by his lofty standards, Bumrah looked refreshed, rediscovering the pace, precision and menace that make him India's most potent weapon with the ball.

With the series on the line, India will hope Gill is fit enough to return, Rohit rediscovers his touch, and Bumrah continues to lead the charge.