By Karan Agrawal 
India took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series against England with a comprehensive win in the second ODI in Cuttack. Chasing a target of 305 runs India was helped by captain Rohit Sharma who scored his 32nd century in ODI cricket which took him to third spot in the list of players with the most centuries in ODI with Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar taking the top two spots respectively. Rohit was well supported by India’s vice-captain Shubman Gill who scored his second half-century in the series in as many games.
The Plan
Rohit notched up his hundred in just 90 balls with 12 fours and 7 sixes registered against his name and was helped by some predictable bowling from the English bowler who gave him width outside the off stump and he took full advantage of it. Apart from the bowling the Jos Buttler-led side looked short of plans in the batting department as well with none of the batters going on to get a big score after getting set and that’s exactly what former English captain Kevin Pietersen eluded to in the second ODI.
Expert’s Corner
“It seems to me there’s just a lack of hunger and a lack of desire to go and get that 130, 140. That’s what’s missing. Like, it’s just too easy. Get 40, get 50, get 60. That’s cool. Everything’s fine. Got my 50, got my 60. I’ll probably play the next game. If I don’t, I’ll have the day off and go and play golf, and I’m gonna do what I like,” Pietersen told the broadcasters during the innings break. “It just seems to me like they’re just lacking that bit of something that says, ‘Hey, man, come on. Let’s get that 100, let’s get that 130.’ This team here should be scoring 350 today. That’s what they should be doing. 304, they might still win this game. They’ve got a very good chance of still winning this game, but they should be able to be ruthless and get that 350, 360 because they’re good enough,” he added.
The Performance
Pietersen’s frustration is evident by the fact that the English batting lineup has failed to capitalize on the good start given to them by the openers and has failed to play the full quota of 50 overs in both matches. The opening duo Phil Salt and Ben Duckett have been consistent at the top of the order adding more than 50 runs for the first wicket on both occasions but the middle-order batters have failed to build on their effort.