IND vs ENG 1st ODI: Shubman Gill and Axar Patel Seal Six-Wicket Win for India

India began their ODI series against England on a winning note with a comfortable six-wicket victory in the opening match at Edgbaston on Tuesday, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match contest. Captain Shubman Gill anchored the chase with a fluent 80 before retiring hurt due to cramps, while Axar Patel delivered an impressive all-round performance, claiming 4/62 and remaining unbeaten on 57 to guide India to the 259-run target in 45.2 overs.

Chasing 259, India suffered early setbacks as veterans Rohit Sharma (11) and Virat Kohli (5) departed with the score at 48. Gill steadied the innings with a composed 75-ball knock featuring 11 fours and a six, adding 101 runs for the third wicket with Shreyas Iyer, who contributed 35. Gill, who has enjoyed remarkable success at Edgbaston in recent years, looked set for his 10th ODI century before retiring hurt with calf and hamstring issues.

England briefly clawed their way back into the contest after Gill left the field. Iyer was run out following a mix-up, while KL Rahul was bowled by Josh Tongue, reducing India to 160/4. However, Washington Sundar (52 not out off 63 balls) and Axar Patel combined for an unbeaten 102-run partnership for the fifth wicket, calmly steering India home. The pair capitalised on the longer format after struggling for consistency during the preceding T20I series, handling Jofra Archer's hostile spell before rotating the strike effectively against the spinners.

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Earlier, England recovered from a dramatic middle-order collapse to post 258 after electing to bat first. Joe Root top-scored with a composed 76, while Liam Dawson registered a career-best 68 off 83 balls as the duo stitched together a crucial 121-run partnership for the seventh wicket. England had slumped from 61 without loss to 107/6 before the experienced pair rebuilt the innings, with Root mixing caution and aggression while Dawson provided valuable support.

India's bowling effort was led by Axar Patel, whose four-wicket haul broke England's resistance after the Root-Dawson stand. Jasprit Bumrah was the most economical bowler, returning figures of 1/31 from nine overs, while Gurnoor Brar (2/61) and Prasidh Krishna (2/50) also picked up two wickets each. The victory marked India's first win of their ongoing tour of the United Kingdom and gave them early momentum heading into the remaining two matches of the ODI series.

Also Read: England Must Change Plans As Rohit Sharma Returns To India’s ODI Setup, Says Nayar