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• India loses second ODI to England by four wickets to level series
• Joe Root's unbeaten 99 steered England to a target of 234
• India face final ODI at Lord's on Sunday following middle-order collapse

India captain Shubman Gill pointed to his team’s middle-order collapse as the defining factor in their four-wicket defeat to England in the second ODI on Thursday, a result that squared the three-match

series at 1-1.

Chasing 234, England reached the target in 44.1 overs with four wickets to spare, thanks to an unbeaten 99 from Joe Root, who steered the innings with his trademark composure.

Reflecting on India’s batting effort, Gill said the side had been well on course for a much bigger total before a dramatic collapse changed the complexion of the match. India had progressed to 178 for 3 before losing four wickets in the space of just 26 deliveries, slipping to 193 for 7 and failing to recover.

“We thought 300-310 would be a good total after 25 overs when we were in a good position, but we lost too many wickets in the middle overs,” Gill said after the match.

Gill felt the lower middle order should have built on the platform created by the top-order batters instead of allowing England back into the contest.

“Our tailenders are not the best batsmen, but we expected more from the lower middle-order batters and they were not able to capitalise on their starts,” he said.

The skipper also highlighted Washington Sundar‘s injury as a setback, saying it reduced India’s bowling resources at a crucial stage of England’s chase.

“Never a good feeling when you ping one to cover. (Washington) Sundar is a key part of our team. Maybe it would have played a part, squeezing in the pressure,” Gill said.

With Sundar unavailable, India had little choice but to lean heavily on their frontline pace attack.

Even so, Gill believed the conditions remained favourable for the fast bowlers.

“We had to bowl our main bowlers throughout the innings. I don’t think it would have made a huge difference because the ball was doing more for the fast bowlers, but when you lose a key player, there is some momentum loss,” he said.

Gill also credited Root for controlling the chase with a knock that denied India any realistic chance of forcing a breakthrough.

“We always knew that if the run-rate was five or more, we could have got a false shot out of him, but this kind of chase, he’s a master of these totals,” he said.

The third and final ODI will be played on Sunday at Lord’s.