India, July 18 -- India captain Shubman Gill blamed his side's middle-order collapse after England chased down a modest 234 with four wickets in hand in the second ODI here on Thursday to level the three-match series 1-1.

Joe Root anchored the chase with a patient 99 not out as England chased down the target in 44.1 overs.

Gill admitted India were well short of the total they had targeted at the halfway stage of the innings.

From 178 for 3 at one stage, India slumped to 193 for 7 in a space of 26 deliveries and never recovered.

"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.

The skipper expected greater contribution from the lower ...