IND vs ENG 2nd ODI: Virat Kohli equals Viv Richards with another ODI half-century against England

Virat Kohli equals Viv Richards Virat Kohli continued his brilliant record against England with another half-century during the second ODI at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on Thursday. India’s batting star reached the milestone in style and helped India maintain control after the early loss of Rohit Sharma.Kohli completed his fifty in the 27th over with a typical Sam Curran direct drive. The classy boundary not only took him to the landmark but also earned him a loud ovation from the Cardiff crowd, with the former India captain acknowledging the applause by raising his bat. The knock marked Kohli’s 14th score of 50 or more in ODIs against England, including three centuries. In doing so, he equaled West Indies legend Viv Richards for joint second 50+ score against England in ODI cricket. Only the great Kumar Sangakkara of Sri Lanka with 15 such scores is ahead of the Indian batsman.The milestone came off the first ball of the 27th over when Kohli drove Curran straight down the ground for four. Kohli’s well-made 65 off 66 balls ended in the 32nd over when he was caught by Adil Rashid off Jofra Archer, leaving India at 178/4.Earlier, England captain Harry Brook won the toss and opted to bat first. India were forced into one change as KL Rahul missed the match due to illness, paving the way for Ishan Kishan’s inclusion in the playing eleven. England also made two changes, adding pacers Saqib Mahmood and Gus Atkinson in place of Josh Tongue and Liam Dawson.India lead the three-match ODI series 1-0 after claiming six wickets in the opening match.