Former India opener Abhinav Mukund claims that the English bowlers’ consistent use of short-pitched bowling during the tour has helped India. Mukund expressed his thoughts after England won the second ODI by four wickets at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on Thursday, July 16, tying the series 1-1 with one game left.
England’s speed trio of Jofra Archer, Saqib Mahmood, and Gus Atkinson wreaked havoc with three, two, and three wickets apiece. After bowling out India for just 233 in 44 overs, England chased it down with 35 balls left.
According to Abhinav Mukund, the Indian hitters have been forced to try pull shots on bigger square boundaries since the English seamers have bowled short.
“Throughout the entire series, England has consistently hit India with short pitches on fields with larger square borders, where pull shots don’t leave the ground. I believe Archer has been outstanding, and England’s bowlers have been quite successful in using the short pitch delivery.
In a Cricinfo conversation, Abhinav Mukund stated, “India’s pacers bowled better” in reference to the calibre of fast bowling in the second England vs. India 2026 ODI. “Virat got caught out and then you had two more dismissals to the short pitch stuff,” Mukund remarked.
He mentioned Archer by name, saying that the 31-year-old’s use of the short ball has been excellent so far.
However, Abhinav Mukund claimed that Indian pacers were better than their English equivalents. “To be fair, I felt India’s pacers bowled better than the English pacers because their new ball spell was better,” he said after being pleased by young Gurnoor Brar’s dismissals of Will Jacks and Harry Brook.
For me, Gurnoor Brar’s use of the short ball in the last spell was a huge checkmark. I thought England’s bowling in the first ten was poor. Unfortunately for India, Mahmood, Atkinson, and Archer all returned during the second period and ended up taking a lot of wickets, according to Mukund.
Joe Root scored 99 runs without losing to lead England to win. Atkinson was at the other end of the contest on 23 off 16.
