Abhinav Mukund Highlights India’s Repeated Mistakes After 2nd ODI Defeat
According to former India opener Abhinav Mukund, India has benefited from the English bowlers’ continuous use of short-pitched bowling during the tour.
Mukund expressed his opinion following England’s four-wicket victory in the second one-day international at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on Thursday, July 16, which tied the series 1-1 with one game remaining.
England’s speed trio of Jofra Archer, Saqib Mahmood, and Gus Atkinson caused havoc, taking three, two, and three wickets, respectively. England chased it down with 35 balls remaining after knocking India out for only 233 in 44 overs.
According to Abhinav Mukund, the English seamers bowled short, pushing Indian batsmen to attempt pull shots on larger square boundaries.
“It’s been a pattern throughout the series: England peppering India with short pitch stuff on pitches with larger square boundaries, where pull shots don’t go out of the ground.”
England’s bowlers have been incredibly effective using the short pitch delivery, and I believe Archer has been excellent. In a Cricinfo conversation, Abhinav Mukund stated that India’s pacers bowled better in the second England vs. India 2026 ODI.
He notably mentioned Archer, saying that the 31-year-old has been terrific so far with his use of the short ball.
But, according to Abhinav Mukund, Indian pacers outperformed their English counterparts. Gurnoor Brar’s dismissal of Will Jacks and Harry Brook impressed him. He felt India’s pacers bowled better than English pacers due to their superior new ball spell.
Gurnoor Brar’s use of the short ball in the final spell was all extremely important to me. I thought England didn’t bowl well in the first ten. Unfortunately for India, the second period, in which both Mahmood, Atkinson, and Archer returned, resulted in a high number of wickets,” Abhinav Mukund added.
Joe Root guided England to victory, scoring 99 runs without losing. When the game ended, Atkinson was at the opposite end with 23 off 16.
