England and India meet in the second ODI at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on Thursday, July 16, 2026, with India leading the series 1-0 and needing one more win to seal it. The match starts at 1:00 PM local time and 5:30 PM IST, and Cardiff is expected to offer a decent cricketing surface with dry, playable weather.
Sophia Gardens has historically been a balanced ODI venue, but the recent weather and venue trend suggest a surface that should help seamers early before settling nicely for batting. Cardiff’s forecast is described as ideal for cricket, with no rain expected, warm temperatures, and only a light breeze that could aid the new ball for a short spell.
In practical terms, this is the kind of pitch where stroke-makers can prosper once they get through the first few overs, while disciplined pace bowling and smart spin in the middle overs should still matter. The team winning the toss may look to bat first and put scoreboard pressure on, although the chase can also be manageable if the top order survives the new ball.
This game matters a lot for both sides because India can clinch the ODI series with a win, while England must respond to stay alive and force a decider at Lord’s. India arrive with momentum after a six-wicket win in the opener, a result built on a strong all-round display and a chase that never looked out of control.
England, on the other hand, are under pressure to reset quickly after being outplayed in the first match. The home side need a better start with the bat and more control with the ball if they want to test India’s depth and prevent the visitors from running away with the series.
India’s recent momentum is clearly stronger, especially after the opening ODI where Axar Patel starred with four wickets and an unbeaten 57, Washington Sundar added a maiden ODI fifty, and Shubman Gill made a fluent 80 before retiring hurt with cramp. That balance with bat and ball has given India a settled look heading into Cardiff.
IND vs ENG Match details
Match: England vs India, 2nd ODI, India tour of England 2026.
Date: Thursday, July 16, 2026.
Time: 1:00 PM local time | 5:30 PM IST.
Venue: Sophia Gardens, Cardiff.
England vs India Live Streaming Info
England vs India 2nd ODI T20I live streaming in India is on SonyLIV, while the match is also shown on the Sony Sports Network; some reports say DD Sports carries select games free-to-air.
Where to watch
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TV: Sony Sports Network.
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Online streaming: SonyLIV app and website.
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Free-to-air: DD Sports for select matches, according to one report
Live Streaming Info:
The 2nd ODI ENG vs IND will be live on Willow Cricket.
Live Score Info:
England vs India 2026: All matches on ESPN and Cricbuzz have live scores.
Head-to-head record
Across ODI history, India have the edge over England, and the gap remains significant in recent meetings too. The records available from reliable sources show India ahead overall, while the last five ODIs between the teams have all gone India’s way, including three wins in England in early 2025 and wins in the 2023 World Cup and the 2022 England tour.
Overall ODI head-to-head:
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Matches played: 110.
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India wins: 61.
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England wins: 44.
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No result: 3.
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Tied: 2
Last five ODI meetings:
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India beat England on February 12, 2025.
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India beat England on February 9, 2025.
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India beat England on February 6, 2025.
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India beat England on October 29, 2023.
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India beat England on July 17, 2022.
India team analysis
India look well balanced, with experienced top-order batting, flexible all-round options, and a bowling attack that has enough variety for English conditions. Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli provide class at the top, while Axar Patel and Washington Sundar add depth that can change a match in both innings.
The main strength is control in the middle overs and the ability to finish strongly with both bat and ball. The only concern is fitness around Gill after his cramp at Edgbaston, and Rohit Sharma remains under scrutiny to convert starts into a defining innings.
Key India players:
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Shubman Gill, for top-order stability and strokeplay.
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Virat Kohli, for experience and chase control.
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Axar Patel, for all-round impact.
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Jasprit Bumrah, for strike bowling and death overs.
Probable XI: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna.
England team analysis
England’s biggest strength is still their batting depth on paper, with players like Joe Root, Jos Buttler, Harry Brook, and Ben Duckett capable of changing the game quickly. At home, they also have pace options such as Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson who can make early inroads if conditions suit.
Their problem in the first ODI was not talent but execution, because the batting unit did not build enough partnerships and the bowlers lacked sustained pressure. Against a strong India side, England must be sharper in the powerplay and more disciplined through the middle overs.
Key England players:
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Joe Root, for stability and run accumulation.
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Jos Buttler, for explosiveness and leadership support.
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Jofra Archer, for early breakthroughs.
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Adil Rashid, for middle-overs wicket-taking.
Probable XI: Ben Duckett, Jos Buttler, Harry Brook, Joe Root, Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Gus Atkinson, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer.
Talking points
The biggest talking point is whether India can finish the series early and maintain the same control they showed in the opener. Another key question is England’s response under pressure, because the home side need a much better start from their top order and more clarity in their bowling plans.
Gill’s fitness also matters, since he was central to India’s chase and his availability affects the structure of the top order. Rohit Sharma’s form is another storyline, because a big innings from him would settle a lot of debate around India’s batting balance and leadership rhythm.
India start as the stronger and more settled side because their batting depth, all-round balance, and momentum from the first ODI give them the edge. England can challenge if their top order clicks and the bowlers exploit any early seam movement, but the safer call is India to win again.