New Delhi: It has been 4,341 days – or 11 years, 10 months and 19 days – since India last took to the field to host an ODI at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.On Thursday, India will return to the same venue for the second ODI of the three-match series against England. Shubman Gill’s side already lead the series 1-0 after an emphatic six-wicket win in the opening match at Edgbaston in Birmingham.But for many fans in Cardiff, the game is much more than a series. It marks the return of two familiar faces – Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma – until they last played together in India’s famous victory in 2014.When India last played an ODI at Sophia Gardens in August 2014, Mahendra Singh Dhoni led the team to a massive 133-run (D/L method) victory over England.Fast forward almost 12 years, and only Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli remain from the Indian playing XI in the current squad.England, too, have only two players in the match – Joe Root and Jos Buttler.The return of these four players adds to the excitement of Thursday’s contest.
Day Suresh Raina stole the show
India produced one of their best ODI performances in Cardiff in 2014.Batting first, they scored 304/6 in 50 overs, aided by a century from Suresh Raina, who smashed 100 in just 75 balls, hitting 12 fours and three sixes.Rohit Sharma contributed a steady 52 off 87 balls, while the captain MS Dhoni he added an unbeaten 52 from 51 deliveries.Virat Kohli, however, endured a momentary setback, running out for a duck.Rain reduced England’s target to 295 in 47 overs, but the bowlers were unable to finish. The Indian bowlers scored 161 in 38.1 overs, sealing a 133-run victory through the Duckworth-Lewis method.Raina was named Player of the Match, and India won five matches 3-1, with one match abandoned due to rain.
Kohli’s Cardiff masterclass 2011
Interestingly, Kohli has featured in all the ODIs that India have played at Sophia Gardens.His first appearance came in 2011, where he played one of the best performances of his early ODI career.The young batsman hit 107 off 93 balls, but his century came to an end as England chased down the changes to win by six wickets (D/L method) with 10 balls to spare.
Kohli and Rohit vs England
Kohli has been England’s leading scorer in ODIs over the years.In 39 ODIs, he scored 1,402 runs at an average of 40.05, including three centuries and 10 half centuries.Rohit, meanwhile, has scored 857 runs in 24 ODIs against England at an average of 45.10, with three hundreds and fifty to his name.
