SHUBMAN GILL led India to a four-wicket win over England in the first one-day international on Thursday, as the hosts chased down 249 after a solid bowling performance in Nagpur.
India played without Virat Kohli, who missed the match due to a sore right knee. The team lost both openers early in the chase but recovered through a 94-run partnership between Gill (87) and Shreyas Iyer (59). India reached the target in 38.4 overs, with 11.2 overs to spare.
"Pretty happy because we knew we were coming after a long time to this format," captain Rohit Sharma said. "We wanted to quickly regroup and understand what is to be done."
With the Champions Trophy set to begin on 19 February, Rohit said the team was focusing on refining their game before the tournament in Pakistan and Dubai.
"Nothing specific, overall as a team I want to make sure we keep on doing the right things," he said. "Try and tick every box there is to be ticked in bowling and batting."
Gill was also involved in a 108-run stand with Axar Patel, who made 52 after being promoted up the order. India had already won the T20 series 4-1 before heading into the ODIs.
England’s Saqib Mahmood dismissed Gill short of a century, while leg-spinner Adil Rashid also took two wickets, providing some late positives for the visitors.
Earlier, India’s bowlers set up the win, with debutant Harshit Rana and Ravindra Jadeja taking three wickets each to bowl out England for 248 in 47.4 overs.
England’s new-ball attack put India under pressure early, as Jofra Archer had Yashasvi Jaiswal caught behind for 15 in his ODI debut.
Rohit’s struggles continue'
Rohit, who has been struggling for form, fell for two runs five balls later, mistiming a flick that was caught by Liam Livingstone at mid-on off Mahmood.
He has averaged 10.37 across 16 innings in the 2024-25 season. His dismissal left Read More….
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