India kicked off their ODI showdown against England in Nagpur with a four-wicket victory. While Captain Rohit Sharma's comeback innings was a failure, India displayed their depth in both the departments – bowling & batting. Shubman Gill's innings of 87 and a combined bowling effort, spearheaded by Ravindra Jadeja and debutant Harshit Rana, ensured India took an early lead in the three-match series.
It's India's first ODI win since last December, a welcome change after a tough series in Sri Lanka. Even without Virat Kohli, who is down with a swollen knee, India looked confident and in control, chasing down England's total of 249 with relative ease.
Though all eyes were on Rohit Sharma's return, but unfortunately, it was a short stay at the crease. He looked a bit out of form and was dismissed early for just 2 runs. Yashasvi Jaiswal, making his ODI debut, also showed glimpses of his talent but couldn't convert his start into a big score, falling for 15. Suddenly, at 19 for 2, there was a bit of pressure.
But with Shreyas Iyer on crease who batted with pure class, smashing a quickfire 59 off just 36 balls. Iyer’s innings was full of varied shots, including two sixes and nine boundaries, gave the much-needed momentum. He formed a crucial 93-run steady partnership with Shubman Gill to steady the Indian innings. However, Iyer’s dismissal, attempting a sweep shot, was a bit disappointing as he failed for a bigger score.
Stepping up as vice-captain, Shubman Gill played an anchor role, batting at Virat Kohli's usual number three spot. He was calm, composed, and determined to bat till the end. Gill’s 87 was a masterclass in pacing the Indian innings. He hit 13 boundaries, kept the scoreboard ticking, and ensured England never getting back into the game. Even battling through cramps, Gill remained focused and guided India closer to victory. He missed out on a century, but his innings was undoubtedly the backbone of India's chase.
Axar Patel, promoted up the order, also grabbed his opportunity with both hands. He scored a brilliant 52 off 47 balls, forming a century partnership with Gill. Axar’s aggressive approach complemented Gill’s calmness perfectly, further denting England's hopes. While KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya didn't score big, they chipped in to ensure India crossed the win comfortably.
Earlier, England's innings started like a rocket. Openers Phil Salt and Ben Duckett came out swinging, taking on the Indian pace attack. Salt was particularly brutal, smashing debutant Harshit Rana for multiple sixes. England raced to 75 without loss, looking set for a massive score.
As cricket is a game of surprises. A mix-up led to Salt's run-out for a quickfire 43, and that triggered a collapse. Harshit Rana bounced back strongly, picking up two quick wickets, including the crucial scalp of Duckett. Ravindra Jadeja then spun his web, consistently taking wickets and strangling the England innings. Captain Jos Buttler and Jacob Bethell scored half-centuries, but regular wickets prevented any substantial partnerships. Jadeja was the star bowler, taking 3 wickets for just 26 runs and reaching the milestone of 600 international wickets. Harshit Rana, despite a tough start, also chipped in with two wickets, showcasing his resilience. Axar Patel also contributed with a crucial wicket of Buttler. England eventually were bowled out for 249, falling short of their potential after a strong start.
Team Performance:
- India: A well-rounded performance. Batting showed depth, even with Rohit and Kohli misfiring. Gill and Iyer were the batting stars, while Jadeja and Harshit led a disciplined bowling effort. Fielding was sharp, and overall, they played like a cohesive unit.
- England: Started strong with the bat but collapsed after the run-out. Buttler and Bethell showed fight, but lacked partnerships. Bowling lacked penetration and couldn't contain the Indian batsmen after the initial breakthroughs. Fielding was decent but not game-changing.
Player Highlights:
- India:
- Shubman Gill: Man of the Match for his composed and match-winning 87.
- Shreyas Iyer: Aggressive and impactful 59, providing crucial momentum.
- Ravindra Jadeja: Exceptional bowling performance (3/26) and reached 600 international wickets.
- Harshit Rana: Bounced back well after a tough start, taking 2 important wickets on debut.
- Axar Patel: Valuable half-century and a crucial wicket, contributing in both departments.
- England:
- Phil Salt: Explosive start with 43 off 26 balls.
- Jos Buttler: Resilient half-century under pressure.
- Jacob Bethell: Well-made half-century in the middle order.
- Jofra Archer: Late flourish with the bat (21 off 18) and economical bowling.
India's victory though with a shaky start, their batting depth and disciplined bowling proved too strong for England. With Gill and Jadeja leading the charge, India has set the tone for an exciting series.
