Rohit Sharma praised Shubman Gill and Axar Patel for their crucial partnership after India secured a four-wicket win over England in the first ODI at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. With this victory, India took a 1-0 lead in the series.
India’s chase of 249 got off to a shaky start as openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma struggled to build momentum. Jaiswal managed 15 off 22 balls before falling to Jofra Archer in the 4.3 overs, while Rohit departed soon after, scoring just two runs off seven balls before Saqib Mahmood dismissed him in the 5.2 overs. However, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer revived the innings with an explosive 94-run stand. Iyer was particularly aggressive, smashing 59 runs from 36 balls, including nine fours and two sixes, before Jacob Bethell ended his innings in the 15.6 over.
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After Iyer’s dismissal, Axar Patel stepped in to support Gill, forming a match-winning 108-run partnership. Gill, who had already been anchoring the innings, reached his half-century in the 25th over. Axar played a composed yet attacking knock, contributing 52 runs from 47 balls before falling to Adil Rashid in the 33.4 overs. Rashid also removed KL Rahul in the 35.4 overs, but by then, India was already on the brink of victory. Hardik Pandya, who replaced Rahul, wasted no time in making an impact, striking a six to edge India closer to the target. Gill, unfortunately, missed out on a century, dismissed for 87 in the 36.2 overs by Mahmood. Ravindra Jadeja then sealed the win with a boundary, remaining unbeaten on 12, while Hardik finished on nine. Mahmood and Rashid were the pick of England’s bowlers, each claiming two wickets.
Reflecting on the win, Rohit Sharma acknowledged that India didn’t start well but credited the bowlers for their effort in restricting England. He emphasized that despite England’s strong opening stand, his team managed to turn things around with key breakthroughs at crucial moments. He also highlighted the importance of Gill and Axar’s partnership, stating that it was exactly what the team needed at a critical juncture.
Earlier, England, after winning the toss and electing to bat first, got off to an explosive start. Openers Phil Salt and Ben Duckett stitched together a 75-run stand, with Salt hammering 43 off 26 balls, including five fours and three sixes, while Duckett contributed 32 off 29 balls. However, India quickly bounced back as Joe Root, continuing his poor ODI form, fell for 19, leaving England at 111/4. Captain Jos Buttler and Jacob Bethell steadied the innings with a 59-run partnership before Axar Patel removed Buttler for 52 in the 33rd over. Bethell went on to reach his half-century, scoring 51 off 64 balls, but he was eventually dismissed by Jadeja. A late cameo from Jofra Archer, who scored an unbeaten 21 off 18 balls, helped England post 248 in 47.4 overs.
Jadeja and debutant Harshit Rana were India’s standout bowlers, both claiming three wickets each. Axar, Mohammed Shami, and Kuldeep Yadav picked up one wicket each, contributing to India’s disciplined bowling effort.
India will now look to extend their lead as they take on England in the second ODI on Sunday in Cuttack.
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