It was a mix of dominance and disorder. India comfortably chased down the 249-run target in Nagpur, reaching it with 68 balls to spare. However, their four-wicket victory felt less convincing due to a sloppy finish—more a result of their own complacency than any real resistance from England.

Blend of Experience and Youth Powers India to 1-0 Lead

A perfect mix of seasoned and fresh talent propelled India to a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series. Ravindra Jadeja’s impressive 3 for 26, combined with debutant Harshit Rana’s 3 for 53, helped bundle England out for 248 with 14 balls to spare. Despite a strong start from Phil Salt (43 off 26), only Jos Buttler (52) and Jacob Bethell (51) managed notable contributions.

With Virat Kohli sidelined due to a knee injury, Shubman Gill anchored the chase with a classy 87, supported by Shreyas Iyer (59) and Axar Patel (52). Their partnerships of 94 and 108 runs ensured India overcame an early wobble at 19 for 2 after quick wickets from Jofra Archer and Saqib Mahmood. From there, India never looked back, sealing a convincing victory.

Iyer’s Blitz and Axar’s Masterstroke Propel India to Victory

Shreyas Iyer set the tone early with a blistering fifty off just 30 balls, taking on the short-pitched attack with authority. He dispatched Jofra Archer for back-to-back sixes in the seventh over and punished Brydon Carse’s off-side length, carving four of his nine boundaries off the pacer.

Axar Patel’s promotion up the order proved a game-changing move, allowing Shubman Gill to play with composure. Gill had one brief scare when given out lbw on 38 to Liam Livingstone, but a DRS review confirmed a clear inside edge. His 14th ODI half-century—his first against England—was a sign of his growing stature.

The duo dominated Carse in the 29th over, smashing 17 runs with two boundaries each, including a stunning ramp from Axar over the keeper. With just 48 runs needed from 21 overs, the chase turned into a procession. Axar celebrated his first home fifty in style, driving Carse crisply through mid-off. However, his dismissal to Adil Rashid’s leg-spin disappointed Gill, who remained focused on a potential century. But as nerves crept in, Gill (81) and KL Rahul (a tame caught-and-bowled to Rashid) both fell, momentarily delaying the inevitable India victory.

Jadeja’s edged boundary off Mahmood, sneaking past wicketkeeper Salt for the winning runs, encapsulated the late tension caused by India’s needless slump of three wickets for just four runs. However, it also underscored England’s struggles with the bat, mirroring their own top-order collapse, where they lost three wickets in the span of just eight deliveries.

Salt’s Fiery Start Ends in England’s Sudden Collapse

Phil Salt set the tone with an explosive opening stand of 75 alongside Ben Duckett, putting India under early pressure. After a cautious start, Salt unleashed his aggression in Harshit Rana’s third over, smashing three sixes—a top-edge, a slog sweep off a slower ball, and a powerful heave over midwicket—to race to 26 off the over.

However, a miscommunication on a third run led to his downfall, triggering England’s sudden collapse. A cut to deep point saw Shreyas Iyer chase down the ball and fire a sharp throw to the striker’s end, catching Salt well short as Duckett sent him back. From 75 for 0, England crumbled to 77 for 3.

Rana capitalized on the momentum, striking twice in his next over. Duckett mistimed a pull, resulting in a spectacular running catch from Yashasvi Jaiswal at midwicket. Moments later, Harry Brook was caught down the leg side by KL Rahul—who had taken over wicketkeeping duties from Rishabh Pant—after a rising delivery brushed his bottom glove.

Root’s Return Falls Flat as England’s Middle Order Crumbles

Joe Root marked his return to ODI cricket after the 2023 World Cup, seemingly the perfect candidate to steady England’s innings. However, despite his experience, he struggled to impose himself and eventually fell lbw to Ravindra Jadeja after 51 balls—a familiar foe, as the left-arm spinner dismissed him for the fourth time in ODIs.

At 111 for 4 in the 20th over, England found themselves in a position eerily similar to India’s 111 for 3 in the 16th, where Jacob Bethell had trapped Shreyas Iyer plumb in front. Bethell and Jos Buttler attempted a rebuild reminiscent of Gill and Axar Patel’s partnership, but their stand was cut short at 59. Buttler, just nine deliveries after reaching his 38th ODI fifty, flicked a loose Axar delivery straight to Hardik Pandya at short fine leg.

Unlike India’s composed middle order, England’s faltered under pressure. Bethell showcased remarkable maturity, grinding his way to a second ODI fifty off 62 balls. However, his lower-order teammates failed to provide the support he needed. The return of pace exposed England further, with Liam Livingstone caught behind off Harshit Rana and Brydon Carse bowled by Mohammed Shami.

Bethell’s resistance ended when Jadeja trapped him on the back pad, confirmed via review. A late cameo from Jofra Archer (21*), featuring a few hefty blows, gave England a semblance of respectability. But India, ruthless in their chase, showed no regard for the total.

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