Published By: Sanchari Das

IND vs. ENG ODI: Cuttack After 8 Years – What Happened the Last Time India Played England in Odisha

If history is anything to go by, Cuttack won't disappoint

India will play England in the second ODI at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack this Sunday. After a four-wicket victory in the opening match at Nagpur's Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, the hosts will look to wrap up the three-game series with another win. Barabati Stadium has hosted five ODI encounters between these two teams, with India emerging victorious in two of them. Riding high on a 4-1 T20 series win and their recent ODI triumph, the Men in Blue will aim to extend their dominance.

A major boost for India could be the return of Virat Kohli, who missed the previous game due to a knee injury. The star batter's comeback is eagerly awaited by fans in Cuttack, who hope to see him back in action. The two sides last met here in an ODI on January 19, 2017. It was the second match of a three-game series, with India already leading 1-0 after a win in Nagpur. The home side looked to seal the series, and they did so in style, registering a thrilling 15-run victory in a high-scoring contest. Let's revisit their last face-off as India and England gear up for another clash at this iconic venue.

A batting masterclass by Yuvraj and Dhoni

Batting first, India found themselves in deep trouble at 25/3 within the first five overs. England's Chris Woakes had ripped through the top order, dismissing KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, and Virat Kohli early. But what followed was a batting spectacle. Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni, two stalwarts of Indian cricket, turned back the clock. They stitched together a mammoth 256-run partnership for the fourth wicket, rescuing India from a crisis and setting up a formidable total.

Yuvraj was at his aggressive best, smashing 150 off 127 balls—his highest ODI score. He was playing an ODI after three years, but he made his return count in the grandest way possible. On the other hand, Dhoni played the perfect anchor before shifting gears. His knock of 134 was a display of vintage Dhoni—calm, composed, yet brutal when required.

England's brave chase falls short

With 382 runs to chase, England knew they had an uphill task. But their response was nothing short of sensational. Openers Jason Roy (82) and Joe Root (54) provided a solid foundation, keeping England in the hunt. Moeen Ali chipped in with 55, but the real game-changer was Eoin Morgan. The England skipper played a blinder, scoring 102 runs and almost pulling off the unthinkable.

However, India's bowlers held their nerve. Ravichandran Ashwin was the pick of the lot, taking 3/65. Jasprit Bumrah's calmness under pressure proved crucial, especially when he ran out Morgan at the non-striker's end, sealing England's fate. In the end, England fell just 15 runs short, finishing at 366/8.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar's ice-cool finish

With 22 runs needed in the last over, England still had an outside chance. But Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowled a brilliant final over, conceding just six runs. His control and precision ensured India crossed the finish line. Virat Kohli celebrated with his trademark fist pump as the final delivery was bowled, knowing India had clinched the series 2-0.

A milestone day for Dhoni

Beyond the match result, the game had another special moment. MS Dhoni crossed 4,000 ODI runs in India during his innings, becoming only the second batsman after Sachin Tendulkar to achieve this milestone. Having given up the limited-overs captaincy just before this series, Dhoni showed that he still had a lot to offer as a player. His ability to finish games and guide youngsters remained unmatched. As India prepares to take on England at this venue again, fans will hope for another cracker of a contest. If history is anything to go by, Cuttack won't disappoint.