New Delhi:
In a thrilling encounter at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur, India kicked off their ODI series against England with a convincing four-wicket victory, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. This win marked India’s return to ODI cricket after a six-month hiatus and served as a significant preparation for the upcoming Champions Trophy.
Captain Rohit Sharma praised the team’s performance, highlighting the pivotal batting partnership between Shubman Gill and Axar Patel. The match was notable for a strategic decision that raised eyebrows but ultimately proved to be a masterstroke: promoting Axar Patel ahead of KL Rahul in the batting order.
India achieved the target of 249 runs with 11.2 overs to spare, thanks largely to the batting prowess of Shubman Gill and Axar Patel. Gill, who scored a match-winning 87 off 96 balls, anchored India’s chase after the early loss of both openers, including captain Rohit Sharma and debutant Yashasvi Jaiswal. Gill’s innings was a testament to his focus and skill, particularly in the ODI format where he has consistently excelled.
Axar Patel, promoted to No. 5, played a crucial role in the victory. His 47-ball 52 formed a vital 108-run partnership with Gill, which was the backbone of India’s successful chase. This promotion was a pre-planned move to maintain a left-right batting combination, a strategy that paid off handsomely. Rohit Sharma explained, “We wanted a lefty in the middle. We know they have a couple of spinners who are going to bowl into the left-handers, and we wanted a left-hander to be out there.”
The Indian bowling unit also delivered an impressive performance, restricting England to 248 runs. Debutant Harshit Rana and seasoned spinner Ravindra Jadeja each took three wickets, dismantling the English batting lineup. England captain Jos Buttler expressed disappointment over his team’s inability to capitalize on a strong start, citing the loss of wickets in clusters as a significant hindrance to their total.
Rohit Sharma emphasized the importance of flexibility in the batting order, particularly from No. 3 to No. 7, to adapt to different match situations. This flexibility was evident in the way India regrouped and responded after early setbacks. Sharma noted, “This is a slightly longer format where you have time to come back into the game. When things start to go slightly away from you, it doesn’t mean that it’s going to keep going away.”
The victory was a comprehensive team effort, with credit going to all departments. The bowlers chipped in with crucial wickets, and the fielding was top-notch, reflecting the team’s overall cohesion and strategy.
