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Cardiff. Despite half-centuries from Virat Kohli (65 runs) and vice-captain Shreyas Iyer (66 runs), the Indian team was all out for 233 runs in 44 overs against England in the second one-day cricket match here on Thursday. Kohli’s innings reminded him of his good old days, but Rohit Sharma (26 runs) was seen struggling. The Indian team’s middle order faltered badly due to the lethal spell of Joffra Archer (3 wickets for 47 runs in 10 overs) in which four wickets fell within 15 runs in 26 balls.

Gus Atkinson took three wickets for 50 runs while Saqib Mahmood took two wickets for 52 runs. Kohli’s 66-ball innings included eight fours, of which the most beautiful was the ‘back-drive’ off Archer. Rohit played nine dot balls in 47 balls and was out easily. Vice-captain Shreyas Iyer proved to be the batting hero for India, hitting five fours and two sixes in 71 balls.

He faced the short ball well, but did not get much support from the other end. He completed his half-century with a six off Archer. England captain Harry Brook won the toss and decided to field. Indian captain Shubhman Gill (31 runs in 30 balls) hit six fours, while Rohit struggled to find the gap at the other end. But Gill was caught out after playing Atkinson’s ball in the air, but Kohli did not take much time to catch the rhythm.

Kohli hit a four in deep mid-wicket after a straight drive off Archer’s ball. When Adil Rashid came to bowl, Kohli also played a unique ‘slog sweep’ towards the ‘cow corner’. Rohit hit a six on Atkinson’s ball but despite trying, could not achieve the rhythm and was out on Will Jacques’ ball. However, both of them added 60 runs in 61 balls for the second wicket.

Ishan Kishan (1)’s technical shortcomings were once again exposed, including his inability to play balls with high bounce. He was out on a simple bouncer from Sam Curran. Kohli and Iyer made a partnership of 67 runs for the fourth wicket. But a ball from Archer changed the course of the game which touched the upper part of Kohli’s bat and bounced in the air and the player standing at third man caught it.

Iyer was in great form and seemed to have improved his game to face the short balls. But batsmen like Washington Sundar (2), Axar Patel (1) and Shivam Dubey (0) looked absolutely helpless and India’s score reached 194 runs for seven wickets. This ended India’s hopes of reaching a respectable score.