India vs England 2nd ODI 2026 lineups as Men in Blue look to seal the series in Cardiff originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
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India lead the three-match series 1-0 and can seal it with victory in Cardiff.
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Shubman Gill is expected to be fit after retiring hurt with a cramp at Edgbaston.
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Axar Patel starred in the opener with four wickets and an unbeaten 57.
India vs England 2nd ODI 2026 lineups as Men in Blue look to seal the One-Day series
India moves to Cardiff on Thursday with the chance to wrap up the three-match ODI series, buoyed by a commanding six-wicket victory at Edgbaston that finally ended a miserable run on their tour of Ireland and England. The opener showcased the depth this squad possesses.
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Axar Patel produced a match-winning all-round display with four wickets and an unbeaten 57, while Washington Sundar registered a maiden ODI fifty and Shubman Gill anchored the chase with a fluent 80. The one lingering concern surrounds the captain. Gill retired hurt at Edgbaston; however, there’s some good news.
He has since confirmed the problem was a cramp brought on by dehydration rather than a serious injury, and he expects to be available at Sophia Gardens.
Victory would seal the series with a match to spare, a remarkable turnaround for a side thrashed 4-0 in the preceding T20Is. England, by contrast, must respond on home soil to force a decider at Lord’s on Sunday.
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India’s probable XI and starting lineup for the 2nd ODI
Below is a predicted lineup for India as they chase the series in Cardiff. Assuming Gill is passed fit, the visitors are expected to name an unchanged side after their all-round performance in Birmingham.
India (probable XI)
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England’s probable XI and starting lineup for the 2nd ODI
England must win to stay alive and may consider changes after a batting collapse in the opener. Harry Brook leads a side rescued only by Joe Root and Liam Dawson, with the top order badly exposed against India’s disciplined seam and spin.
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England (probable XI)
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Rohit Sharma remains the one talking point
The batting largely fired at Edgbaston, with Gill, Iyer, and the middle order all contributing, leaving India with a settled and dangerous top seven capable of chasing or setting substantial totals in Welsh conditions. The exception is Rohit Sharma, who continues to search for a defining innings.
The veteran opener has stayed statistically consistent over the past year but has not converted starts into the match-winning knocks expected of one of India’s senior-most batters. With younger options pushing hard for opportunities, another substantial contribution in Cardiff would help reaffirm his place at the top.
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His outing carries added weight given the persistent questions over his role heading towards the 2027 World Cup. India’s bowling, meanwhile, looks a genuine strength once more. Jasprit Bumrah appeared close to his best on his ODI return, and the all-round depth of Axar Patel and Washington Sundar gives Gill the balance his T20I counterpart sorely lacked.
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