Match overview and stakes
England’s second ODI against South Africa landed at Lord’s on Thursday, September 4, 2025, with the series sharply poised after the visitors drew first blood. The first ball was scheduled for 5:30 PM IST (1:00 PM local time in London), with the toss at 5:00 PM IST. For England, this was a must-win to keep the three-match series alive; for South Africa, it was a chance to close the door and wrap things up early.
England arrived under pressure after a seven-wicket defeat in the opener. The message was simple: get the basics right, bat deeper, and take wickets in the powerplay. Harry Brook wore the captain’s armband, with Jos Buttler taking the gloves. Expect England to lean on Joe Root’s control in the middle, the new-ball threats of Jofra Archer and Saqib Mahmood, and Adil Rashid’s experience in the middle overs. Will Jacks’ burst at the top and Brydon Carse’s hit-the-deck pace added balance.
South Africa, led by Temba Bavuma, had the momentum. Their attack mixed pace and craft—Kagiso Rabada’s heavy length, Lungi Ngidi’s variations, and Keshav Maharaj’s squeeze through the middle. With Ryan Rickelton as wicket-keeper and white-ball firepower from Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, and Wiaan Mulder, the visitors had the tools to push England again if early wickets fell.
Lord’s rarely feels neutral. The slope can make good bowlers better, especially with a hint of cloud. Early seam is common here; patient batting usually pays in the middle overs before a late surge. Captains often keep a seamer back for the death and ask the spinners to work hard into the breeze. Fielding angles on the square boundaries matter—cut shots can hang up, while straight boundaries invite the lofted drive.
Key battles told the story: Root versus Maharaj in the middle overs; Archer’s pace against Bavuma and Markram up top; Rabada’s hard lengths to Brook and Buttler at the death. If England’s top order started fast and Rashid held South Africa in check, the hosts were in business. If Rabada and Ngidi prised out two early wickets, South Africa could dictate again.
How to watch in India: TV and streaming
Indian fans had multiple ways to tune in. Sony Sports Network broadcast the game live on Sony Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 2, and Sony Sports Ten 5. Coverage matched the 5:30 PM IST start, with the toss at 5:00 PM IST.
Prefer streaming? The official digital options were Sony LIV and FanCode. Both apps and their websites carried the live feed for subscribers. You could watch on smartphones, laptops, and most connected TVs with a steady internet connection. If you use Android, iOS, or a smart TV, just install the relevant app, sign in, and you’re set.
Subscriptions were required on both platforms. Sony LIV offered monthly and annual plans that unlocked the live match and highlights. FanCode also provided paid access for live coverage on mobile and the web. Users with Airtel or Vi SIM cards could tap into special streaming access offered through Sony LIV’s tie-ups; availability depends on your plan, so checking your carrier’s benefits page before the match helped avoid last-minute hiccups.
Quick checklist for viewers in India:
- Match start: 5:30 PM IST (1:00 PM BST); toss at 5:00 PM IST.
- TV: Sony Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 2, Sony Sports Ten 5.
- Streaming: Sony LIV and FanCode (paid subscription required).
- Devices: Mobile, laptop/desktop, and compatible smart TVs/streaming sticks.
- Tip: Log in early and test your stream to dodge buffering at the first ball.
If you were traveling outside India, broadcast rights differed by region. Access often depends on where you are, so local listings or your usual OTT provider were the best places to check.
For those following the cricket as a second-screen experience, both Sony LIV and FanCode typically provide scorecards, wagon wheels, and key highlights. Notifications for wickets, milestones, and innings breaks are easy to enable in the app settings, which is handy if you’re watching on the go or juggling work and the match.
Team lists for the Lord’s ODI were confirmed ahead of time. England’s squad included a blend of pace, spin, and batting depth, while South Africa’s touring group brought a strong core and exciting hitters.
England squad: Harry Brook (capt), Jos Buttler (wk), Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Sonny Baker, Jamie Overton, Saqib Mahmood, Tom Banton, Rehan Ahmed.
South Africa squad: Temba Bavuma (capt), Ryan Rickelton (wk), Aiden Markram, Matthew Breetzke, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Senuran Muthusamy, Tony de Zorzi, Nandre Burger, Kwena Maphaka, Lhuan-dre Pretorius.
As a series contest, this game mattered. England needed to square things up and push the decider to a winner-takes-all third ODI. South Africa had the chance to shut it down early with a disciplined performance and a couple of big batting contributions. However it unfolded, Lord’s promised swing for the quicks, a test of shot selection for the batters, and a loud, invested crowd riding every chance.
If you came here only for the basics, here’s the bite-sized version: The match began at 5:30 PM IST from Lord’s, streamed in India on Sony LIV and FanCode, and aired on Sony Sports Ten 1/2/5. Subscriptions were needed for digital viewing. England trailed 0–1, South Africa chased the clincher, and viewers had a clean, official path to watch via 2nd ODI live streaming across phones, laptops, and connected TVs.
