Edgbaston, Birmingham – In a resounding display of all-round cricket, India opened their three-match One-Day International series against England with a comfortable six-wicket victory, largely thanks to a phenomenal performance from Axar Patel. This emphatic win at Edgbaston serves as a crucial morale booster for the visitors, coming on the heels of a challenging T20I series where they suffered a 0-4 humiliation against the Three Lions.

England’s Innings: A Story of Collapse and Resurgence

England, led by skipper Harry Brook, won the toss and elected to bat first on what pitch reporter Varun Aaron described as a surface with ‘a good covering of grass’ and ‘a lot of moisture content,’ suggesting a bowling-first advantage. India’s bowlers wasted no time exploiting the conditions, spearheaded by the returning Jasprit Bumrah.

Bumrah, making a comeback to ODI cricket after a significant 967-day hiatus, quickly made his mark. While he started with a wide, his intent was clear, troubling Ben Duckett early on. It was Gurnoor Brar, India’s new fast-bowling hope, who provided the initial breakthroughs. After a costly over where he leaked 17 runs, Brar found his rhythm, removing Jacob Bethell (14) with a fiery short ball and then Ben Duckett (43) shortly after, caught brilliantly by Bumrah at third man. The big moment arrived when Bumrah himself, with a stunning delivery outside off stump, dismissed England captain Harry Brook (1), securing his 150th ODI wicket – a significant milestone achieved in 4,605 balls, making him the third-fastest Indian pacer to the feat, surpassing Ajit Agarkar.

England found themselves in dire straits at 80/5, a situation further compounded when Prasidh Krishna picked up two wickets in an over, including a crucial one of Jos Buttler (5), caught by Brar after a mid-air collision scare with Shubman Gill. At one stage, England were tottering at 107/6, raising concerns about their ability to post a competitive total. Former India head coach Ravi Shastri, during the mid-innings break, was critical of India’s approach, stating, ‘India should’ve gone for the kill. Don’t treat it as a 50 overs match, but a 40 overs match. Don’t keep your best bowlers for the end, bring them in early, that’s the gamble you go for as a captain.’

However, a tremendous recovery was orchestrated by veteran Joe Root and the gritty Liam Dawson. The duo stitched together a resilient 121-run partnership for the seventh wicket, pulling England back from the brink. Root, displaying his class under pressure, registered a superb half-century off 57 balls, eventually finishing unbeaten on 76. Dawson was equally impressive, reaching his fifty in 65 balls and scoring 68 before Axar Patel broke the partnership, catching him off Rohit Sharma at deep backward square leg. Axar then cleaned up the tail, returning with exceptional figures of 4 for 62 as England were eventually bowled out for 258 in 47.5 overs.

India’s Chase: Gill’s Brilliance, Jitters, and Axar-Sundar’s Calm

Chasing 259 for victory, India’s batting line-up featured the highly anticipated return of seasoned campaigners Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, alongside the in-form Shubman Gill. The opening partnership of Rohit and Gill, which averages 60.9 in ODIs, looked promising despite Rohit’s early dismissal for 11. Kohli’s stay at the crease was brief, falling for 5 to Jofra Archer, caught plumb in front, before he could add to his impressive ODI record – he was on the cusp of his 300th ODI innings and nearing 15,000 runs, having averaged an astonishing 123 in his last seven ODI innings since the start of 2025.

Shubman Gill, however, continued his sensational form from 2026, where he has amassed 373 runs in five innings at an average of 93.3 and a strike rate of 117, including three half-centuries and a hundred. The India captain scored a fluent 80 off just 75 balls, laced with elegant boundaries, receiving high praise from Ravi Shastri who exclaimed, ‘That’s hammered. He has picked the bones out of that!’ Gill, unfortunately, had to retire hurt due to a cramp in his right foot, a significant injury scare for India, with the score at 149/2.

The chase hit a roadblock shortly after Gill’s departure. Shreyas Iyer, who looked solid with 35, was run out by a direct hit from England captain Harry Brook. KL Rahul then played a poor shot, chopping Josh Tongue onto his stumps for just 1 run, leaving India in a spot of bother at 160/4. The pressure was mounting, but this set the stage for the hero of the day.

Axar Patel’s All-Round Masterclass

Stepping up to the challenge, Axar Patel, whose ‘better willow wielding abilities’ were highlighted in pre-match discussions over specialist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, delivered a performance that firmly justified his selection. Forming an unbeaten 102-run partnership with Washington Sundar for the fifth wicket, Axar showcased incredible composure and power. He reached his half-century in just 39 deliveries, scoring 57 not out off 52 balls, including crucial boundaries and a commanding six off Will Jacks over cow corner.

Washington Sundar provided excellent support, remaining unbeaten on 52, sealing the victory with a majestic six that also brought up his half-century. The partnership was a testament to India’s deepening batting reserves and the growing confidence of its all-rounders. The calmness displayed by both Axar and Sundar under pressure was a key takeaway, turning a potentially tricky situation into a comfortable win for India.

Implications and the Road Ahead

This victory is more than just a win; it’s a statement. After the humbling T20I series, the return of the ‘senior trio’ – Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah – has immediately brought stability and winning momentum to the ODI setup. For India, it’s an important start to a series that skipper Shubman Gill acknowledged as crucial for ‘preparations… for the 2027 World Cup, the type of combinations we can try and give chances for some of the guys who have less experience.’

The performance of Axar Patel, in particular, will be a huge confidence booster for the team management, especially in light of the ongoing discussions about the BCCI’s reported rotation policy aimed at testing all players. While the focus remains on the senior players, individual brilliance from players like Axar and Gill’s consistent form underline India’s formidable strength in depth.

England, despite Joe Root’s valiant effort, will need to address their middle-order collapses and find a way to counter India’s varied bowling attack. The series now moves to Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, for the second ODI on July 16, where England will be desperate to level the series, and India will be keen to press home their advantage.

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