India aim for series win against England as Gill’s fitness and Rohit’s form are in focus
India secure first ODI victory
India secured a six-wicket victory over England in the first ODI at Edgbaston, Birmingham. This win marked the end of India’s three-week winless streak in the UK, which included a 0-2 defeat to Ireland and a 0-4 whitewash against England in the T20I series. The victory also extended India’s unbeaten run against England in ODIs to six consecutive wins and ended England’s seven-match winning streak at Edgbaston.
The chase of 259 runs saw a crucial 102-run partnership for the fifth wicket between all-rounders Axar Patel and Washington Sundar. This partnership became vital after India experienced a quick succession of wickets, going from 149/2 to 160/4. Captain Shubman Gill left the field due to cramps, and Shreyas Iyer was run out, while KL Rahul dragged a wide delivery onto his stumps.
Gill, who scored 80 runs off 75 balls, and Iyer, with 35 runs off 53 balls, had earlier established a 101-run partnership. Following the rapid fall of wickets, Axar and Washington faced the challenge of needing 99 runs. Axar Patel, named Player of the Match, explained the team’s strategy: “We were thinking that we are down a couple of wickets just now, we have to build a partnership right now. And after four, five overs, we’ll think about what we have to do because the way we got the start, I think we are ahead of the game. So we have to just build the partnership and just finish the game.”
Washington Sundar praised Axar’s performance, stating, “The way he batted was magical and it was a treat for me to watch from the other end.” The duo calmly navigated the innings, with Washington sealing the win with a six in the 45th over off Adil Rashid.
All-rounders’ resurgence and team balance
The performances of Axar Patel and Washington Sundar highlight a resurgence in form for India’s all-rounders, contributing to the team’s balance in both bowling and batting. Coach Gautam Gambhir‘s preference for a left-handed batsman ahead of KL Rahul was evident, with Washington taking on that role in the first ODI. Axar was also a preferred option to bat higher up the order during India’s Champions Trophy triumph last year. Rahul has adapted to the No. 6 role, scoring 291 runs in 13 ODIs at an average of 36.37 and a strike rate of 99.31 since 2025.
The selection dilemma regarding whether both Axar and Washington will feature regularly in India’s plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa remains. If Hardik Pandya and Harshit Rana regain full fitness, there might only be room for one spin-bowling all-rounder. For now, their contributions have started India’s road to the 2027 ODI World Cup on a positive note.
Focus on Gill’s fitness and Rohit’s form for second ODI
As India prepares for the second ODI against England, key concerns include Shubman Gill’s fitness and Rohit Sharma‘s form. Gill’s availability for the Cardiff ODI is uncertain following his cramps in the first match. His role as opener and captain is considered crucial for the team. Rohit Sharma, since losing the captaincy, has accumulated 563 runs in 13 ODIs at an average of 46.91, though his impact is noted as different from players like Virat Kohli.
Jasprit Bumrah made a successful return to ODI cricket, playing for the first time since the 2023 World Cup final, which adds depth to India’s bowling attack. England, on the other hand, aims to improve its top-order performance, having experienced 13 defeats in 19 ODIs since 2025. Cardiff is historically a strong venue for England.
The second ODI will take place in Cardiff.
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Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
