Picture : BCCI / X
An all-round India beat England by 4 wickets in the first of the three- match ODI series at VCA stadium Nagpur . The win gave India a 1-0 lead in the series. A series which is a build -up to the Champions Trophy beginning on February 19.
Earlier, England Skipper Jos Buttler won the toss on a belter and opted to bat first . And his opening duo of Phil Salt and Ben Duckett did not disappoint. Getting the side off to a flying start. The pair put on 75 for the first wicket . Salt 43( 26 balls, 5 fours 3 sixes) was unfortunately run-out . Then Duckett followed soon out to stunning catch by Yashasvi Jaiswal off debutant Harshit Rana for 32 ( 29 balls , 6 fours). Then the batting wobbled with – Joe Root ( 19), Harry Brook ( 0) and Liam Livingstone ( 5).
Skipper Jos Buttler held the innings together with a fine 52 ( 67 balls , 4 fours) . Young Jacob Bethell impressed all with his 51 ( 64 balls, 3 fours 1 six) , Brydon Carse ( 10), Jofra Archer hit some lusty blows to remain not out 21 . Adil Rashid ( 8) and Saqib Mahmood ( 2) . England which began on bright note were finally bowled out for 248/ 10 in 47. 4 overs. England would have loved a 300 plus total given the start. It was not to be and it was the difference at the end
India bowling figures were : Mohammed Shami 1/ 38 ( 8 overs) Harshit Rana 3/ 53 ( 7 overs) , Axar Patel 1/ 38 ( 7 overs), Hardik Pandya 0/ 37 ( 7 overs) , Kuldeep Yadav on a comeback 1/ 53 ( 9. 4 overs) , Ravindra Jadeja 3/ 26 ( 9 overs) .
In reply , India lost Yashasvi Jaiswal for 15 ( 22 balls, 3 fours) at the total of 19. Skipper Rohit Sharma’s poor form continued out for mere 2 . Superstar batsman Virat Kohli sat out of the match due to injury . Shreyas Iyer came in his place . Iyer lived up to the slot scoring a fine 59 ( 36 balls, 9 fours, 2 sixes). It was the team’s new deputy Shubman Gill who was the star with the bat with an attacking match- winning 87 ( 96 balls , 14 fours) . Axar Patel the ever improving all- rounder scored an important 52 ( 47 balls , 6 fours 1 six). K L Rahul fell cheaply for ( 2) . Hardik Pandya not out 9 and Ravindra Jadeja not out 12 saw India home by four wickets. India finishing at 251 / 6 in 38.4 overs.
England bowling : Jofra Archer 1/ 39 ( 7 overs) Saqib Mahmood 2/ 47 ( 6. 4 overs), Brydon Carse 0/ 52 ( 5 overs) , Adil Rashid 2/ 49 ( 10 overs) , Jacob Bethell 1/ 18 ( 3 overs) , Liam Livingstone 0/ 28 ( 5 overs) , Joe Root 0/10 ( 2 overs)
Match: 1st ODI
Venue: Nagpur | Date: Feb 06, 2025
