India national cricket team captain Shubman Gill started his team’s performance in the first ODI of the three-match series against the England national cricket team on Tuesday, July 14. India defeated England by 6 wickets with 28 balls to spare to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Speaking after the win, Shubman Gill credited the innings of Axar Patel and Washington Sundar and was happy with the team’s overall performance, and also noted how England put them under pressure and then the team bounced back.
Indian bowlers were on top
Harry Brook won the toss and elected to bat first and announced his final eleven on the eve of the match. Shubman Gill and Team India played three seamers and two spinners in the game, with Jasprit Bumrah returning to the side for the first time since the 2023 ODI World Cup final.
The home team made a cautious start against the likes of Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna. Opener Ben Duckett took charge against young Gurnoor Brar, but the fast bowler made a strong comeback in the game after the change of ends, while Jacob Bethel struggled and was out after scoring 14 runs and Duckett was out after scoring 43 runs in the same over.
England faltered in the middle overs and lost 5 wickets for 19 runs, putting them on the backfoot. But Joe Root and Liam Dawson remained strong and made a partnership of 121(134), Dawson made 68(83) and Root remained unbeaten on 76 as they were bowled out for 258, with Axar Patel taking 4/62.
Akshar Patel shines for India
While chasing the target, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill made a steady start; After getting set, he looked in good touch. Rohit went for a big shot and mistimed Sam Curran’s ball and returned to the pavilion on 11 runs; Soon, Virat Kohli was out after scoring just 5 runs as India were on the backfoot.
Then Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer made a partnership of 101 runs in 103 balls. But the India captain had to return to the pavilion due to a possible hamstring injury even though he was well on his way to 80. Soon Iyer was out to a direct hit from Brook, sending the vice-captain back for 35.
Axar Patel and Washington Sundar lasted long as both the batsmen scored half-centuries. They made a partnership of 102 runs and led India to victory as both were unbeaten on the scores of 57 and 52 runs.
“We bounced back”: Shubman Gill praises India’s bowling attack
Gil Heap praised Washington Sundar and Axar Patel for their innings and also highlighted the fact that India’s middle order and lower middle order scoring runs will give the team confidence. He also supported the team’s batting performance.
Shubman Gill said, “When you see a lower-order team finish like this, it gives you a lot of confidence. It was more about our combination (willingness to bowl first). We supported our batting order to chase the target. Our bowling in the middle overs was good.”
“We were under pressure but we came back with 5 wickets. We will try to see which combination gives the best depth. The conditions here will be similar to South Africa. The ball was kicking. If we can test different combinations, it will be great for us.”