New Delhi: In the opening ODI of the three-match series at the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) Stadium, India dominated England with an all-round performance. Harshit Rana, a debutant, and seasoned campaigner Ravindra Jadeja both claimed three wickets each, while Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, and Axar Patel contributed half-centuries to ensure India’s comfortable victory.
Despite being hammered for 26 runs in an over by Phil Salt, Rana showed resilience and bounced back to take 3-53 in his first ODI, while Jadeja delivered a solid 3-26 to help dismiss England for 248. Jos Buttler (52) and Joseph Bethell (51) fought valiantly, but their efforts were insufficient.
Chasing a target of 249 without star batter Virat Kohli, India made a steady start, with Gill scoring a composed 87 (14×4). Iyer (59) and Patel (52) also added valuable contributions as India reached 251/6 in 38.4 overs, winning by four wickets with 68 balls to spare. Gill and Iyer formed a vital 94-run partnership for the third wicket, while Gill and Patel’s 108-run stand for the fourth wicket sealed the win for India.
India had a shaky start, losing Rohit Sharma (2) and debutant Yashasvi Jaiswal (15) early. However, Gill and Iyer steadied the ship, with Iyer playing an aggressive knock, including three boundaries off Brydon Carse in one over. Iyer was dismissed for 59, but Gill continued his stay, reaching his 14th ODI fifty off 60 balls.
Despite a few quick wickets falling, Gill and Patel’s solid partnership ensured that India remained in control of the chase. Patel’s fifty came off 46 balls, and the duo shared a 100-run partnership in 98 balls. India lost some quick wickets towards the end but reached their target without much hassle.
Earlier, England got off to a great start with Phil Salt (43) and Ben Duckett (32), but their progress was halted by India’s bowlers, with Rana and Jadeja delivering crucial breakthroughs. Salt was run out after a mix-up, and Rana soon followed up with a double-wicket maiden, reducing England to 77/3. Joe Root added 34 runs for the fourth wicket with Buttler before Jadeja dismissed him.
Buttler fought hard, reaching a half-century off 58 balls, and partnered with Bethell for a 50-run stand. However, after Buttler was dismissed, Rana and Jadeja continued to pick wickets, and England found themselves at 170/6 in the 36th over. Bethell’s knock of 51 and Jofra Archer’s 21 not out helped England reach 248, but it was not enough to defend against India’s chase.
Brief scores: England: 248 all out in 47.4 overs (Jos Buttler 52, Phil Salt 43, Joseph Bethell 51; Ravindra Jadeja 3-26, Harshit Rana 3-53) India: 251/6 in 38.4 overs (Shubman Gill 87, Shreyas Iyer 59, Axar Patel 52; Saqib Mahmood 2-47, Adil Rashid 2-49) – India won by 4 wickets.
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