'Joe Root is a master of…' - Shubman Gill explains reason behind India’s loss in second ODI

India captain Shubman Gill admitted that his side's middle-order collapse proved to be the turning point in the second ODI against England, as the hosts chased down a target of 234 with four wickets to spare at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, on Thursday, July 16, to level the three-match series 1-1.

After opting to bat, India were well placed at 178/3, with Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer stitching together a crucial partnership. However, the visitors suffered a dramatic collapse, slipping to 193/7 in the space of just 26 deliveries before being bowled out for 233. England made the chase look comfortable, with Joe Root anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 99 to take the hosts over the line in 44.1 overs.

Speaking after the match, Gill admitted India had set their sights on a much bigger total before the collapse derailed their innings.

"We thought 300-310 would be a good total after 25 overs when we were in a good position, but we lost too many wickets in the middle overs," Gill said post-match presentation. 

The India skipper felt the lower middle order failed to build on the solid platform laid by the top-order batters and believed they should have taken the team to a more competitive total.

"Our tailenders are not the best batsmen, but we expected more from the lower middle-order batters, and they were not able to capitalise on their starts," Gill said.

Gill also highlighted Washington Sundar's injury as a significant setback, revealing that losing the all-rounder affected India's bowling plans during England's chase.

"Never a good feeling when you ping one to cover. (Washington) Sundar is a key part of our team. Maybe it would have played a part, squeezing in the pressure."

With Sundar unable to complete his role, India had to rely heavily on their frontline seamers. However, Gill felt the conditions were still more favourable for the fast bowlers than the spinners.

"We had to bowl our main bowlers throughout the innings. I don't think it would have made a huge difference because the ball was doing more for the fast bowlers, but when you lose a key player, there is some momentum loss," he continued.

Gill hails Joe Root's masterclass

Gill reserved special praise for Joe Root, whose unbeaten 99 guided England to victory with a composed and calculated innings. The India captain acknowledged that the modest target played perfectly into Root's strengths, leaving little room for India to force mistakes.

"We always knew that if the run-rate was five or more, we could have got a false shot out of him, but this kind of chase, he's a master of these totals," Gill concluded.

The defeat means the three-match ODI series is now evenly poised at 1-1, with the decider set to be played at Lord's on Sunday, July 19. India will be aiming to bounce back and clinch the series, while England will look to carry their Cardiff momentum into the final encounter.