England vs India 2nd ODI Preview & Tips - India backed to secure ODI series win over England

India put their 4-0 T20 series defeat to England behind them as they easily beat their hosts with six wickets and 28 deliveries to spare. 

Once again, Joe Root (76 not out) provided the solidity for England while Liam Dawson (68) showed England's top-order how to bat. Ben Duckett (43 from 45) provided the only other real resistance as Bethell (14), Harry Brook (one), Jos Buttler (five) and Sam Curran (zero) all failed to score runs. 

As has been the case with England across the longer formats, scoring runs when it is not easy has been a major issue. Root continues to prove his worth in the Test and ODI game, but he seems to be England's only real option that can score runs when the momentum is with and, more importantly, against England. 

Issues when reading the pitch also cost England. Josh Tongue and Jofra Archer were England's main seam options, while Sam Curran is more of a fourth-bowling option rather than a third. Having four spinning options in Adil Rashid, Liam Dawson, Will Jacks and Jacob Bethell was too many, especially as they went wicketless across a combined 15.2 overs. 

In truth, England's issues run much deeper than their poor selection for the first ODI. They are at least one solid batter light, while they seem to have a real issue when it comes to pacing their innings. Adept at going big in the shortest formats, this England side have become a team that is entirely beatable in the ODI and Test match formats. 

I back another tough day's work for England in the second ODI. 

Their frontline bowlers impressed as they kept England honest with some disciplined bowling that continually threatened the edge of the bat. When India took the wicket of Bethell, it started a chain-reaction that featured excellent bowling and woeful batting as the tourists took five wickets for 19 runs. 

While England did battle back to 258, this always looked well short of a truly competitive score. Rohit Sharma continued his poor 2026, with his average of 30.71 in the ODI game this year seeing him score 26, 24, 11, 16, 48, 79 and 11. As an opener, India need more from their veteran batter. While his experience in this side will also be a factor in his selection, the 39-year-old is hardly setting the game alight with big scores right now. 

By contrast, Shubman Gill was outstanding in the first ODI. While he was forced to retire hurt, his score of 80 from 75 saw him break the back of the chase as England laboured against him. His average of 113.25 in ODI's this year has come via scores of 56, 56, 23, 84 not out, 154 and 80 (retired hurt). England have no real answer to the problem Gill is providing, and I back him to star once again as India go 2-0 up in their series.