Gill Helps India Down England in ODI Opener

AFP/APP

Nagpur, India: Shubman Gill led India to a four-wicket victory over England in the first one-day international on Thursday after a strong bowling performance from the hosts in Nagpur.

Chasing a target of 249 without Virat Kohli, who missed the start of the three-match series due to a sore right knee, India lost their openers early. However, Shreyas Iyer (59) counter-attacked in a 94-run stand with Gill (87) as India comfortably reached their target with 11.2 overs to spare.

The ODIs serve as preparation for the Champions Trophy, set to begin on February 19 in Pakistan and Dubai.

Gill also shared a 108-run partnership with Axar Patel (52), who was promoted up the order, further strengthening India’s form after their 4-1 T20 series win over England.

England’s Bowling Effort

Fast bowler Saqib Mahmood denied Gill a century, while leg-spinner Adil Rashid also took two wickets, offering England some late positives in an otherwise comfortable chase for India.

Indian Bowlers Set Up Victory

India’s bowlers set the stage for victory, with debutant Harshit Rana (3-53) and Ravindra Jadeja (3-26) claiming three wickets each to bowl out a struggling England for 248 in 47.4 overs.

England’s Batting Struggles

Opting to bat first on a hot afternoon, England lost wickets at regular intervals. Despite Jos Buttler’s 52 and Jacob Bethell’s 51, the visitors failed to bat out their full 50 overs.

Phil Salt gave England a quick start, smashing three sixes and two fours off Rana in a 26-run over, but a mix-up with Ben Duckett saw him run out for 43.

Rana bounced back with two wickets in one over, dismissing Duckett (32) and Harry Brook (0), reducing England to 77-3. Buttler attempted to steady the innings alongside Joe Root (19) and Bethell, but England fell well short of a competitive total.

India’s Top Order Wobbles

England’s pacers came out firing, and Jofra Archer removed ODI debutant Yashasvi Jaiswal (15) early. Skipper Rohit Sharma fell cheaply for 2, caught at mid-on off Mahmood, extending his poor run of form, averaging just 10.37 across 16 innings in the 2024-25 season.

Iyer’s Counter-Attack

Shreyas Iyer turned the tide with an aggressive knock, reaching 50 in just 30 balls with a flurry of boundaries. However, Jacob Bethell trapped him lbw after he had smashed nine fours and two sixes in his 36-ball innings.

Series Standing & Next Match

India now leads the three-match series 1-0. The second ODI will be played on Sunday in Cuttack.

Brief Scores:

England: 248 all out in 47.4 overs (J. Buttler 52, J. Bethell 51; H. Rana 3-53, R. Jadeja 3-26)

India: 251-6 in 38.4 overs (S. Gill 87, S. Iyer 59, A. Patel 52; S. Mahmood 2-47, A. Rashid 2-49)

Result: India won by four wickets

Toss: England

Series: India lead the three-match series 1-0