India Secures 1-0 Lead in ODI Series Against England
Match Summary:
India 251/6 (Gill 87, Shreyas 59, Axar 52, Rashid 2-49) beat England 248 (Buttler 52, Bethell 51, Jadeja 3-26) by four wickets
India started their ODI series against England with a commanding victory in Nagpur, chasing down the 249-run target with 68 deliveries to spare. The four-wicket win might suggest a close contest, but it was India’s game all the way, barring a minor late-order hiccup.
This marked a tough start for Brendon McCullum in his first ODI as England’s head coach, following a 4-1 defeat in the preceding T20I series.
Ravindra Jadeja & Harshit Rana Shine With the Ball
Ravindra Jadeja (3/26) and debutant Harshit Rana (3/53) played crucial roles in restricting England to 248 in 47.4 overs. Jadeja, a consistent match-winner for India, once again proved his worth by dismissing key batters, including Joe Root. Meanwhile, Rana made an immediate impact on his ODI debut, picking up crucial wickets to keep England in check.
England’s innings saw a bright start from Phil Salt, who smashed 43 off 26 balls, but his run-out triggered a collapse. From 75/0, England stumbled to 77/3. Jos Buttler (52) and Jacob Bethell (51) provided some resistance, but India’s disciplined bowling attack ensured that England never built a dominant partnership.
Shubman Gill Anchors India’s Chase
With Virat Kohli sidelined due to a knee injury, Shubman Gill stepped up to lead India’s batting, scoring a composed 87. His partnerships with Shreyas Iyer (59 off 30) and Axar Patel (52 off 46) ensured that India remained in full control of the chase.
The chase began shakily, with Jofra Archer dismissing debutant Yashasvi Jaiswal and Saqib Mahmood sending back Rohit Sharma. However, from 19/2, India never looked back. Iyer’s aggressive approach, including consecutive sixes off Archer, set the tempo for the innings.
Axar Patel’s Promotion Pays Off
Axar Patel’s promotion up the order proved to be a game-changing move. He played with great freedom, allowing Gill to focus on his anchor role. Their 108-run stand made the chase look effortless. Axar reached his maiden ODI fifty on home soil, stroking a delightful drive past mid-off to bring up the milestone.
Late Wobble, But India Prevails
Gill seemed set for a century but fell on 87, leading to a minor collapse. India lost three wickets for just four runs, briefly raising England’s hopes. However, Ravindra Jadeja ensured there were no further jitters, edging the winning runs past the keeper.
England’s Batting Collapse
Despite a strong start, England’s middle order failed to capitalize. Salt and Duckett provided early momentum, but India’s bowlers struck back strongly. Jadeja’s dismissal of Joe Root (lbw) was a key moment, marking the fourth time he has removed Root in ODIs.
Jacob Bethell showed promise with his second ODI fifty, but his dismissal on review, trapped lbw by Jadeja, sealed England’s fate. Only some late hitting from Jofra Archer (21 off 12)* gave England a total that looked respectable on paper.
Key Takeaways:
- Shubman Gill (87) anchored the chase, showcasing his composure under pressure.
- Axar Patel’s promotion was a tactical masterstroke, adding balance to the middle order.
- Harshit Rana’s dream debut (3/53) provided India with a new pace option.
- Jadeja’s all-round brilliance (3/26 & crucial late runs) continues to be a vital asset.
- England’s batting collapses hurt them, with Salt’s run-out shifting the momentum in India’s favor.
With India taking a 1-0 lead, all eyes now turn to the second ODI. Can England bounce back, or will India continue their dominance at home?
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