KKN Gurugram Desk | India secured a four-wicket victory over England in the first ODI at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Despite Virat Kohli missing out due to a knee injury, India delivered an all-round performance, excelling in both batting and bowling.

While Rohit Sharma failed with the bat, impressive performances from Shubman Gill (87), Shreyas Iyer (59), and Axar Patel (52) ensured India chased down England’s total of 248 in just 38.4 overs.

India’s Clinical Performance in All Departments

The match started with England dominating the first few overs, reaching 71/0 in just 8 overs. However, India’s bowlers staged a strong comeback, restricting the visitors to a below-par total of 248.

Despite losing early wickets, India’s middle-order stepped up, with Gill, Iyer, and Axar stabilizing the chase and leading the team to victory.

Shubman Gill Returns to Form with a Crucial 87

Shubman Gill recently admitted to struggling with concentration in the Test format, but his ODI form remains strong. Before missing matches in the 2023 World Cup due to dengue, he was one of India’s most consistent batters in ODIs.

In Nagpur, Gill showcased his ability to anchor the innings, playing a well-paced knock of 87 off 96 balls. His innings included:

• A 94-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer, rescuing India from 19/2.
• A 108-run stand with Axar Patel, taking India closer to victory.

Gill’s batting was a mix of caution and aggression, handling Jofra Archer’s pace with ease. He played some stunning strokes, including a powerful pull shot and late steer past backward point.

However, his only false shot led to his dismissal. On 87, while attempting to accelerate, he mistimed a pull shot, resulting in a simple catch for Jos Buttler at mid-on.

Shreyas Iyer Proves His Worth with a Quick 59

Just a few weeks ago, Shreyas Iyer stated in an interview that he had unfinished business in ODI cricket. In Nagpur, he backed his words with an explosive 59 off 36 balls.

Walking in at 19/2, with Jofra Archer bowling at 150 kph, Iyer took on the challenge. He immediately counterattacked, smashing two consecutive boundaries off Archer, setting the tone for his innings.

Some of his best shots included:

• A reverse slap against Adil Rashid.
• A paddle sweep off Jacob Bethell to bring up his fifty in just 31 balls.
• Three stunning boundaries off Brydon Carse in a single over.

Iyer’s innings ended when he mistimed a paddle sweep, but his aggressive approach played a crucial role in India’s win.

Axar Patel’s Finishing Touch with an Unbeaten 52

Promoted ahead of KL Rahul, Axar Patel played a smart, composed innings. Using his long reach, he rotated the strike well and found timely boundaries to ensure India didn’t lose momentum.

His unbeaten 52 provided the finishing touches, guiding India home with 11.2 overs to spare.

England’s Promising Start Fizzles Out

England started aggressively, reaching 75 without loss, but once again, their attacking approach led to their downfall.

• Phil Salt and Ben Duckett were dismissed due to brilliant fielding efforts from Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
• Joe Root was bowled by a sharp delivery from Ravindra Jadeja.
• Harry Brook fell to Harshit Rana’s short-pitched delivery.
• Captain Jos Buttler top-edged a half-tracker from Axar Patel to short fine leg, throwing away his wicket.

Despite a crucial 51-run partnership between Buttler and Jacob Bethell, England never fully recovered from India’s disciplined bowling attack.

Debutant Harshit Rana Impresses with Three Wickets

Making his ODI debut, Harshit Rana made an immediate impact, picking up three crucial wickets:

• Ben Duckett – Caught off a mistimed shot.
• Harry Brook – Beaten by pace and bounce.
• Liam Livingstone – A mistimed pull shot leading to an easy catch.

His aggressive pace and accuracy troubled England’s batters, making it a memorable debut for the young pacer.

Ravindra Jadeja’s All-Round Brilliance

Among the bowlers, Ravindra Jadeja was India’s standout performer, finishing with figures of 3/26 in 9 overs. His sharp, accurate bowling dismantled England’s middle order, ensuring they couldn’t build a big total.

Other key bowling performances:

• Mohammed Shami dismissed Brydon Carse with a classic in-swinger.
• Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav controlled the middle overs, picking up one wicket each.

India’s Next Focus: Sealing the Series in the Second ODI

With a 1-0 lead, India will aim to clinch the series in the second ODI. However, Virat Kohli’s fitness remains a concern. If he returns, the team management faces a selection dilemma:

• Will Shreyas Iyer be dropped despite his strong performance?
• Will Yashasvi Jaiswal miss out to accommodate Kohli?

Key Takeaways from the First ODI

1. Shubman Gill’s Return to Form – His 87-run knock showcased his ability to anchor an ODI chase.
2. Shreyas Iyer’s Aggressive Approach – A 59-run blitz in 36 balls cemented his place in the team.
3. Axar Patel’s Finishing Ability – An unbeaten 52 ensured India crossed the finish line with ease.
4. Harshit Rana’s Dream Debut – The young pacer’s three-wicket haul impressed everyone.
5. Jadeja’s Game-Changing Spell – 3/26 in 9 overs broke England’s middle-order resistance.
6. Kohli’s Comeback Dilemma – If fit, who will India drop for him in the second ODI?

India’s dominant all-round performance in the first ODI set the tone for the series. Despite Virat Kohli’s absence, the team showcased depth in both batting and bowling.

As India prepares for the second ODI, all eyes will be on Kohli’s fitness status and potential changes in the playing XI. With momentum on their side, the hosts will look to secure a series victory and continue their strong preparations for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.