Joe Root produced a composed unbeaten 99 as England defeated India by four wickets in the second One-Day International at Sophia Gardens on Thursday, levelling the series and setting up a winner-takes-all decider at Lord’s on Sunday.

Chasing 234, England suffered an early setback when Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna reduced the hosts to 8 for 2. Bumrah struck with the opening delivery, dismissing Ben Duckett, while Prasidh removed Jacob Bethell soon after to give India the perfect start.

India’s hopes of defending the modest total grew further when captain Harry Brook fell for 16 after an aggressive 16-ball innings. However, Root weathered the early pressure before anchoring England’s chase with a patient knock of 99 off 133 balls, which included nine boundaries.

Root first steadied the innings with a 41-run stand alongside Sam Curran, who contributed 26, before adding a crucial 72 runs for the sixth wicket with Will Jacks, whose 30 brought England within touching distance of victory. Although Jacks departed after attempting an attacking shot against Gurnoor Brar, England remained firmly in control.

With England needing 19 runs and Root stranded on 98, Gus Atkinson played the finishing role. The all-rounder struck an unbeaten 23 off just 16 deliveries, including three fours and a six, guiding the hosts home with nearly six overs to spare while Root finished one run short of a deserved century.

Earlier, India struggled to build momentum after being asked to bat first. The top three contributed more than half the team’s total, while Shreyas Iyer emerged as the highest scorer with a fluent 66 from 71 deliveries, striking five fours and two sixes. Virat Kohli added a well-crafted 65 from 66 balls, reaching his half-century with a powerful straight drive before falling attempting an ambitious stroke. Rohit Sharma made 26, while Shubman Gill scored 31.

India’s batting faltered in the latter stages as the lower middle order collapsed, leaving the visitors all out with more than six overs unused. Bumrah provided late entertainment with an unbeaten 20 from 13 balls, but the cameo proved insufficient to lift India’s total.

England’s pace attack laid the foundation for victory after the hosts brought in Saqib Mahmood and Gus Atkinson for Josh Tongue and Liam Dawson. The move paid immediate dividends, with the seamers claiming nine of India’s ten wickets. Atkinson was among the standout performers as England restricted India before Root’s measured innings ensured the series was squared heading into the decisive final ODI at Lord’s.