England have succumbed to another tame defeat at the hands of India with the home side prevailing by four wickets in Cuttack.
Having posted a target of 305, England would have fancied their chances of defending that sizeable total, yet the brilliance of Rohit Sharma ensured a routine India run chase with 33 balls to spare.
The defeat ensures that India have established an unassailable 2-0 series lead with one match remaining, that contest taking place on Wednesday.
In winning the toss, England took the chance to try to post a target that would at least test their hosts, and Phil Salt and Ben Duckett on 81 runs for the opening wicket.
On the back of Salt being dismissed for 26, Duckett and Joe Root impressed with knocks of 65 and 69 respectively, but scoring at a rapid rate despite a lack of maximums.
Sitting on 219-3 after 38.3 overs, England felt in relative control, but the dismissal of Jos Buttler for 34 left England reliant on Liam Livingstone, the all-rounder making 41 from 32.
Adil Rashid added a valuable 14 from five deliveries, but three run outs cost England and kept India in the game.
Sharma is finally OUT ❌
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Adil Rashid takes a fine catch but the damage has been done by the Indian captain!
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Sharma obliterates England attack
Rohit and Shubman Gill were outstanding during the opening stages of the reply, a 136-run partnership being compiled before Jamie Overton dismissed Gill after a knock of 60 from 52 balls.
Nevertheless, although Virat Kohli went cheaply for five, England were powerless when it came to dealing with Rohit, who ultimately scored 119 from 90 balls in an innings that featured 12 boundaries and seven maximums.
Shreyas Iyer (44) and Axar Patel (41*) were able to manoeuvre the ball around to act as the ideal foil to their skipper, and it proved decisive as the win was achieved with 33 deliveries remaining.
Darren Plant
