IND vs ENG: Team India End Six-Match Losing Streak in UK, Key Stats From Clinical Edgbaston Win in 1st ODI

Birmingham, July 14: After failing to taste victory for 18 days, Team India finally returned to winning ways on their tour of the United Kingdom as Shubman Gill led the Men in Blue to a clinical six-wicket victory over England in the first ODI at Edgbaston on Tuesday (July 14). The win helped India take a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series and, more importantly, brought an end to a disastrous sequence of results for the visitors.

India had lost six of their previous seven completed matches on the UK tour before arriving at Edgbaston. Under new T20I captain Shreyas Iyer, the visitors were first whitewashed 2-0 by Ireland, a first in their history, before their fortunes went from bad to worse in England.

The opening T20I against Harry Brook’s side was abandoned due to rain, but England dominated the remainder of the series and completed a 4-0 victory. India, therefore, entered the ODI series desperately searching for a change in fortunes.

The change of format and captaincy finally produced the result India needed. Led by ODI skipper Shubman Gill, and the return of names like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah, the visitors witnessed an impact. The tourists successfully chased down England’s 259-run target to secure a six-wicket victory and end their prolonged losing run.

India Finally End Six-Match Losing Streak in Completed Games

The victory at Edgbaston was significant for India considering the sequence of results that preceded it. It also gave Shubman Gill a winning start to the ODI series after Shreyas Iyer’s difficult beginning as India’s new T20I captain.

Indian Pacers Trigger Dramatic England Collapse

England openers gave their team a solid start and the hosts appeared to be in complete control of the contest after reaching 61 without losing a wicket. However, the momentum shifted dramatically once India found the opening breakthrough in the thirteenth over bowled by Gurnoor Brar as he removed openers Jacob Bethell and Ben Duckett in a space of three deliveries.

Brar, Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna struck in clusters to dismantle England’s top and middle order. The hosts went from 61/0 to 80/5, losing five wickets for the addition of only 19 runs. The collapse completely changed the direction of the innings and put India in a commanding position. The numbers highlighted the effectiveness of India’s pace attack and more importantly the impact Bumrah brings.

Joe Root and Liam Dawson Lead England’s Remarkable Recovery

Just when India appeared capable of restricting England to a modest total, former captain and India’s nemesis Joe Root and Liam Dawson produced a superb fightback. Root once again demonstrated his ability to control an ODI innings under pressure. The Yorkshireman remained unbeaten on 76 off 76 deliveries, scoring at exactly a run a ball while holding the innings together.

Dawson provided the support England desperately needed at the other end. He scored 68 runs from 83 deliveries as the pair gradually rebuilt the innings following the dramatic collapse.

Root and Dawson added 121 runs together, transforming England’s position and taking the hosts from deep trouble towards a competitive total. England eventually finished on 258 from their 50 overs, setting a modest target of 259 for India to chase.

Shubman Gill’s India Complete Clinical Chase to Take 1-0 Lead

Chasing 259, the visitors completed the target while losing only four wickets to register a six-wicket victory. The result gave India a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series and brought an end to their sequence of six consecutive defeats in completed matches on the UK tour.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli – the two senior pros – failed to make a mark with the bat in the small run chase. Rohit scored 11 off 21 before getting outfoxed by a slower-one from Sam Curran. Kohli was trapped plumb in front by Jofra Archer for 5, leaving the Indian fans disappointed.

Gill, however, was positive from the outset, unfurling crisp drives and elegant flicks despite England’s new-ball attack. He reached his half-century off 51 balls and maintained complete control of the chase, stitching together crucial partnerships after India lost Virat Kohli early.

Gill eventually retired hurt after scoring 80 off 75 balls, an innings studded with authoritative strokeplay that effectively took the game away from England. His knock ensured India were well ahead of the required rate before he walked off with cramps in his right leg. He along with his deputy Iyer revived the innings and the duo shared a composed 101* run stand for the third wicket before getting retired.

India were looking in cruise control until Gill and Iyer were at the crease but Gill walking out of the pitch brought another change in fate. Iyer soon was run out for 37 and KL Rahul was soon dismissed for 1 by Joshua Tongue as the hosts sniffed an opportunity.

Axar Patel Finishes the Job

However, Washington Sundar and Axar Patel – the two spin bowling all-rounders – took their time to settle down and denied English bowlers any success. The left-handed batting duo shared an unbeaten 102 run stand, and notched up their respective half-centuries in the process, to guide their team home.

However, Patel once again showcased why he has become one of India’s most valuable white-ball all-rounders. Walking in with India still requiring 97 runs, Axar counter-attacked intelligently. He punished anything loose, swept the spinners confidently and never allowed England’s bowlers to build sustained pressure.

His unbeaten 57 off 52 balls included a crucial six off Will Jacks and timely boundaries against Adil Rashid as he steadily brought the equation under control.

In Sundar, Axar found an ideal partner as the duo shared a century stand for the fifth wicket, extinguishing England’s hopes of a comeback after the hosts had reduced India to 160/4.

While Axar played the aggressor, Sundar anchored the chase with a composed unbeaten fifty before sealing victory in style.

Axar’s Complete All-Round Performance

Axar had already starred with the ball earlier in the day. The left-arm spinner claimed 4 wickets, helping trigger England’s collapse from 61/0 to 80/5 before returning later to wrap up the tail as England were bowled out for 258 in 47.5 overs.

He then followed it up with an unbeaten half-century during the chase, capping a memorable all-round display that earned him the Player of the Match award.