Yesterday’s match i.e. The first ODI was held in Nagpur, India was a one-of-a-kind experience with many surprising and disappointing events happening. England set a target of 248 runs, with Joe Root top-scoring with 64 runs in the game. Debutant Indian players Harshit Rana and Ravindra Jadeja each took 3 wickets, putting a stop for England to 248 runs in 47.4 overs. Players like Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel also chipped in with a wicket each.
Team England started with a solid 71-run opening partnership, but the run-out of Phil Salt (43) triggered a collapse in the score, with wickets falling regularly. Key players like Skipper Jos Buttler (51), Jacob Bethell (51), and Ben Duckett (32) tried their best to provide resistance against the downfall, but the Indian bowlers dominated their control throughout.
In the second half, India crossed the 249 runs mark in 38.4 overs after losing early wickets due to the dismissal of the opening players Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma. Captain Rohit Sharma was looking to regain form after a series of poor performances against New Zealand, Australia, and in the Ranji Trophy when he got another disappointment as he scored only two runs.
Despite this, this trio ensured India’s supremacy over England at crucial moments; the star man Shubman Gill, with a remarkable 87 run, was ably supported by Shreyas Iyer’s 59 and Axar Patel’s 52. A solid 94-run partnership between Iyer and Gill consolidated the innings and then, when Iyer was dismissed, it was Gill and Patel who further added 108 runs to propel India towards a win.
India started the ODI series on a strong note with a four-wicket victory, where their debutants Harshit Rana and Ravindra Jadeja did well for them against England, and they thus laid a good platform for India’s successful chase, with Shubman Gill excelling with the innings. This resulted in India taking a 1-0 lead in the series.
LET’S SEE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FIRST ODI MATCH
INDIA V/S ENGLAND AT A GLANCE :
- Harshit Rana’s Performance: Harshit Rana’s splendid debut, taking 3 wickets for 53 runs, was the highlight where he created a unique milestone by becoming the first Indian bowler to take three wickets on his debut in all formats.
- Shubman Gill’s Knock: When India was chasing, the composed 87-run knock by Shubman Gill played a key role for the team.
- England’s Early Collapse: England’s early collapse after a promising start was unexpected as they lost wickets at regular intervals after Phil Salt’s run-out.
- England’s Batting Collapse: England’s batting slump, after starting well with a 71-run opening partnership, was disappointing.
- Early Losses for India: The loss of India’s openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma early in the chase was a shock.
- Virat Kohli’s Absence: Virat Kohli being absent from the game due to an injury in the right knee was a major disappointment for the fans.
