Rohit hundred flattens England, India clinch ODI series

CUTTACK, India : India claimed an unassailable 2-0 lead against England after captain Rohit Sharma's rapid hundred secured their four-wicket victory in the second one-day international in Cuttack on Sunday.

Not even a floodlight failure that stopped play for half an hour could affect Rohit, who hit seven sixes and 12 fours in his 119 off 90 balls as the hosts chased down a 305-run target in 44.3 overs.

Earlier, England's 304 all out, with one delivery left in their innings, appeared a strong total also vindicating their decision to bat first at Barabati Stadium.

Ben Duckett (65) and Joe Root (69) smashed half-centuries and England looked poised for a big total when cruising at 219-3 in the 39th over.

They already had a flying start after Duckett and Phil Salt (26) combined in a rollicking 81-run opening stand.

Duckett raced to a 36-ball fifty but Ravindra Jadeja struck in his first over dismissing the opener.

Harry Brook (31) could not capitalise on the start but with Root and skipper Jos Buttler (34) in the middle, England looked primed to launch a late assault.

India, however, fought back with the ball removing both the set batters and England suddenly slumped to 272-7 in the 48th over.

Liam Livingstone (41) produced a 32-ball cameo to take England past the 300-mark before he and Mark Wood were run out in successive deliveries.

For India, Jadeja claimed 3-35, took a catch and fired a throw from the deep that led to Adil Rashid being run out.

Rohit, who has been struggling for runs both in tests and ODIs, led India's reply with a barrage of boundaries - the sweet sound of bat whacking the ball announcing his return to form.

Rohit began with a streaky four against Gus Atkinson before finding the middle of his bat and racing to a