India vs England 1st ODI Review: Gill 80, Axar’s All-Round Show Seal 6-Wicket Win

India finally found relief on a difficult tour as a change in format brought an immediate change in fortunes. After being swept aside 4-0 in the T20I series, the visitors produced a far more controlled performance in Birmingham to beat England by six wickets and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.

The foundation of the victory was laid by India’s bowlers. England negotiated the new ball without losing a wicket, but the middle overs brought a dramatic collapse as the hosts slipped from a solid opening position to 107/6.

Joe Root and Liam Dawson then rebuilt the innings with a crucial 121-run partnership, dragging England towards a competitive total. But Axar Patel returned to break the stand and clean up the lower order, ensuring England were dismissed for 258 before completing their 50 overs.

India’s chase was not completely straightforward. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli both fell cheaply, captain Shubman Gill retired hurt after a fluent 80 and England briefly sensed an opening after two quick wickets. But Axar and Washington Sundar responded with an unbeaten century partnership to guide India home with 28 balls remaining.

India Bowl First and Back Their Experienced Batting Line-up

India won the toss and chose to bowl first, a decision captain Shubman Gill later explained was influenced by the balance of the side.

India entered the match with a relatively young bowling attack but considerably more experience in the batting order. The visitors were therefore comfortable with the possibility of chasing a substantial target, even if England pushed towards 300.

The new ball offered movement and bounce, and India’s seamers repeatedly beat the bat in the opening overs. However, despite bowling in good areas, they could not find a breakthrough in the first Powerplay.

England made the most of that reprieve and began to build a platform. But once India finally broke through, the entire innings changed.

England’s Innings: A Solid Start Unravels in a Brutal Middle-Order Collapse

England came through the opening phase without losing a wicket, but India’s pacers refused to allow the pressure to disappear.

The breakthrough eventually opened the floodgates. Jacob Bethell, promoted to open, struggled to settle against the moving ball and became one of the early wickets as India began to tear through England’s top and middle order.

A promising start suddenly became a collapse. England lost five wickets for just 20 runs in a devastating passage of play and were left reeling at 80/5 before later slipping to 107/6.

India’s Pacers Turn Pressure Into Wickets

The most pleasing aspect of India’s bowling performance was the way the attack responded after failing to take a wicket in the first Powerplay.

Rather than chasing wickets with loose deliveries, the seamers continued to attack the right areas. The pitch offered enough movement and extra bounce to keep England’s batters uncomfortable, and the pressure eventually produced a cluster of wickets.

Gill later highlighted India’s middle-over bowling as one of the most important phases of the match. England had initially escaped the opening spell, but once the first wicket fell, India did not allow the hosts to rebuild quickly.

Root and Dawson Rescue England

At 107/6, England were in danger of being dismissed for well under 200. Joe Root and Liam Dawson changed the course of the innings.

Root once again showed why he remains England’s most dependable ODI batter. Surrounded by a procession of wickets, he adjusted to the conditions, rotated the strike and ensured the innings did not collapse completely.

Dawson provided the ideal support. The 36-year-old displayed composure under pressure and gradually moved from survival into controlled aggression.

Together, Root and Dawson added 121 runs, giving England a route back into the contest and lifting the total towards something their bowlers could attempt to defend.

Dawson’s innings also strengthened his case for a sustained role in England’s ODI plans, while Root continued his impressive run of form in the format.

Axar Returns to Break the Partnership and Finish the Innings

Just as England appeared set to push beyond 280, Axar Patel returned to change the momentum again.

He broke the century partnership and then worked through the lower order, using subtle changes of pace and a stump-to-stump line to make scoring difficult.

England were eventually dismissed for 258 in 47.5 overs, with Root left unbeaten on 76 after running out of partners. Dawson’s 68 had given England hope, but the failure to bat the full 50 overs left valuable runs unused.

India’s Chase: Gill Takes Control Before England Force a Late Twist

India’s chase began positively, with Gill looking fluent from the outset. The captain found timing early and ensured the required rate never became a source of pressure.

Rohit Sharma, however, struggled for rhythm before trying to attack Sam Curran and mistiming the shot. Virat Kohli followed soon after, trapped lbw by Jofra Archer.

India had lost both of their senior batting stars, but Gill remained unflustered.

Gill and Shreyas Put India Back in Control

Gill and Shreyas Iyer rebuilt with confidence, adding 101 runs and keeping the chase comfortably ahead of the required rate.

Gill looked in complete control, combining clean strokeplay with sharp rotation of strike. Shreyas complemented him well and ensured India did not allow England’s bowlers to build sustained pressure.

The partnership appeared to have taken the match away from England until the chase was suddenly disrupted.

Gill was forced to retire hurt after scoring a superb 80, leaving India with 110 still required. In the following over, Shreyas was run out after Harry Brook’s direct hit punished slow running between the wickets.

KL Rahul then chopped Josh Tongue onto his stumps for 1, giving England three rapid breakthroughs and briefly bringing the contest back to life.

Axar and Washington Shut the Door on England

India still needed 99 runs when Axar Patel joined Washington Sundar at the crease.

The situation required calm rather than panic. The asking rate remained manageable, and both all-rounders understood that a steady partnership would put India back in complete control.

They did exactly that.

Axar took the more aggressive role and reached his half-century from 39 balls, while Washington rotated the strike and gradually increased his scoring rate as the partnership grew.

England struggled to create another opening. Their spinners could not exert enough pressure and the lack of seam-bowling depth became increasingly apparent as the chase moved towards its conclusion.

Washington completed his fifty and sealed the victory with a six, while Axar remained unbeaten on 57. Their unbroken century partnership carried India to 262/4 in 45.2 overs, completing a six-wicket win with 28 balls remaining.

Brief Scores

Player of the Match

Records and Statistics

• Rare 250-plus chase without a Rohit or Kohli fifty: This was only the second time since 2016 that India successfully chased a target above 250 in an ODI without either Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli reaching 50.
• England’s Edgbaston streak ends: This was England’s first ODI defeat at Edgbaston in eight matches since 2015.
• India extend their winning run: The victory was India’s sixth consecutive ODI win against England, their longest winning streak against them in the format.
• Gill leads from the front: Shubman Gill scored 80 before retiring hurt, providing the foundation for India’s chase.
• Axar’s all-round comeback: Axar Patel returned to the ODI side with a four-wicket haul and an unbeaten half-century.
• Washington finishes the chase: Washington Sundar remained unbeaten on 52 and sealed the win with a six.
• Root’s consistency continues: Joe Root registered another fifty-plus ODI score and remained unbeaten on 76.
• Dawson’s milestone: Liam Dawson became the second-oldest England player to score a maiden ODI fifty.

Series Impact: India Finally Stop the Slide

India needed this victory badly.

The visitors arrived in the ODI series under considerable pressure after a winless run through the preceding white-ball matches. The 4-0 T20I defeat had raised questions about form, leadership and India’s ability to adapt to conditions in England.

The change in format also brought the return of several senior players, but it was notable that the victory did not depend on Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli.

Instead, Gill provided the top-order control before Axar and Washington completed the chase under pressure.

Axar Pushes Himself Back Up the ODI Pecking Order

For Axar, the performance could have significant implications beyond one match.

Competition for India’s spin all-rounder role remains intense, particularly with the 2027 World Cup in South Africa already shaping selection decisions.

Axar’s ability to break a major partnership, finish the lower order and then rescue the chase under pressure gave India exactly the kind of all-round flexibility they are looking for.

The fact that Washington also made an unbeaten fifty adds another layer to India’s selection debate. Both players showed that they can contribute significantly with the bat while providing control with the ball.

England’s Middle-Order Collapse Remains the Defining Failure

England captain Harry Brook was clear about where the match was lost.

A collapse of five wickets for 20 runs left England fighting merely to stay in the game. Root and Dawson’s partnership was excellent, but the hosts were forced into recovery mode rather than building towards a genuinely imposing total.

England believed 258 might be defendable if the pitch remained difficult, but the surface became easier for batting and India’s experienced chase management eventually exposed the limitations of the total.

The hosts now head to Cardiff needing a response to keep the three-match series alive.

Final Verdict: India’s ODI Reset Begins With a Complete Team Win