Vice-captain Shubman Gill displayed composure and elegance in India’s chase, while debutant Harshit Rana impressed with a fiery bowling spell, helping the hosts secure a four-wicket win against England in the first ODI at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur, on Thursday.
Gill’s steady 87 runs, combined with crucial contributions from Shreyas Iyer (59) and Axar Patel (52), powered India to a comfortable chase of 249. Earlier, Rana (3/53 in 7 overs) and veteran spinner Ravindra Jadeja (3/26 in 9 overs) dismantled England’s batting lineup, restricting them to a sub-par total of 248.
Rana turned the tide in his fourth over, claiming the pivotal wickets of Ben Duckett and Harry Brook, effectively halting England’s momentum. Despite half-centuries from skipper Jos Buttler (52) and young Jack Bethell (51), England failed to recover after an initial strong start.
Gill Anchors the Chase
Chasing 249, Gill anchored India’s innings, forming crucial partnerships with Iyer and Axar Patel to keep the chase on track. He adjusted seamlessly to the game’s demands, playing second fiddle to Iyer during his attacking stint before taking the lead role after Iyer’s dismissal.
Iyer’s counter-attacking knock came at a crucial juncture after India faltered at 19/2. His innings, punctuated with scintillating strokes, including back-to-back sixes off Jofra Archer and Adil Rashid, steadied India’s nerves. However, his aggressive 59 came to an end when Bethell trapped him LBW with a sharp delivery.
Gill then took charge, showing remarkable confidence as he crafted a patient 87, hitting 14 boundaries. Axar Patel promoted up the order, provided valuable support, scoring a steady fifty to steer India closer to victory. Despite losing a few wickets late in the innings, India crossed the finish line with 68 balls to spare.
England’s Bright Start and Sudden Collapse
Opting to bat first, England began with aggression as Phil Salt (43) launched a blistering assault on Rana, hammering 26 runs in his first over. Salt’s explosive innings featured three sixes and two fours, putting the Indian bowlers under pressure early.
However, a miscommunication between Salt and Duckett led to a brilliant run-out by Shreyas Iyer, allowing India to regain control. Rana, recovering from his initial setback, delivered a game-changing spell, dismissing Duckett with the help of a spectacular diving catch by debutant Yashasvi Jaiswal. Two balls later, he sent Harry Brook back to the pavilion, reducing England to a precarious position.
Joe Root and Buttler tried to rebuild, but Jadeja’s precise bowling ended Root’s stay, trapping him LBW. Buttler fought hard for his 52 but eventually fell to Axar Patel, skying a catch to Hardik Pandya.
Bethell offered resistance with a gritty 51, but his efforts weren’t enough as Jadeja dismissed him LBW to end England’s innings at 248.
Takeaways for India
India’s bowlers, led by Rana and Jadeja, showcased remarkable discipline and adaptability, staging a brilliant fightback after England’s aggressive start. The debutants, Rana and Jaiswal, made an immediate impact, setting the tone for India’s spirited performance.
Gill’s maturity and calmness under pressure, combined with Iyer’s flamboyance and Axar’s dependable knock, highlighted India’s batting depth. With this convincing win, India leads the series 1-0 and looks to carry the momentum into the next game.
