Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer Shine as India Takes 1-0 Lead in the Series
Nagpur, February 6: A brilliant batting display by Shubman Gill (87) and Shreyas Iyer (59) powered India to a 4-wicket victory over England in the first ODI at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium on Thursday. With this win, India has taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
India’s Chase: Gill, Iyer, and Axar Seal the Victory
Chasing 249 runs, India got off to a shaky start as Yashasvi Jaiswal (15 off 22) and skipper Rohit Sharma (2 off 7) departed early, leaving India at 19/2.
Shubman Gill then steadied the innings, forging a 94-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer, who played an aggressive knock of 59 off 36 balls, including nine fours and two sixes. Iyer reached his half-century in the 14th over but was dismissed by Jacob Bethell.
Despite Iyer’s departure, Axar Patel (52 off 47) continued the momentum, adding a crucial 108-run stand with Gill. The vice-captain looked set for a century but fell short by 13 runs, dismissed by Saqib Mahmood in the 36th over.
With a few quick wickets falling towards the end, Hardik Pandya (9)* and Ravindra Jadeja (12)* held their nerves, guiding India to victory with 14 balls to spare.
England’s Bowling Performance
England’s bowling unit, led by Saqib Mahmood (2/47) and Adil Rashid (2/48), tried to defend the total but lacked breakthroughs in the middle overs. Jofra Archer and Jacob Bethell chipped in with a wicket each.
England’s Innings: Buttler, Bethell Lead Resistance
Earlier, England won the toss and opted to bat first. Openers Phil Salt (43 off 28) and Ben Duckett (32 off 29) gave a strong start with a 75-run stand. However, India’s bowling attack soon struck back.
A brilliant run-out by Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul removed Salt, while debutant Harshit Rana (3/53) dismissed Duckett for his maiden ODI wicket.
Captain Jos Buttler (52 off 67) and Jacob Bethell (51 off 64) tried to stabilize the innings, adding 59 runs together, but regular wickets hampered England’s momentum. Ravindra Jadeja (3/26) was the standout bowler, dismantling England’s middle order.
India bowled out England for 248 in 47.4 overs, with Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Mohammed Shami playing key roles.
What’s Next?
With India leading the series 1-0, both teams will now head to Cuttack for the second ODI on Sunday, February 9.
Brief Scores:
England: 248 in 47.4 overs (Jos Buttler 52, Jacob Bethell 51, Phil Salt 43; Ravindra Jadeja 3/26, Harshit Rana 3/53)
India: 251/6 in 37.4 overs (Shubman Gill 87, Shreyas Iyer 59, Axar Patel 52; Saqib Mahmood 2/47, Adil Rashid 2/48)