At the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur, India defeated England in the opening ODI of their three-match series. With 68 deliveries remaining, the home team won the match by four wickets.
After losing the Twenty20s 1-4 to India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, this was England’s sixth loss in the current white-ball series. They participated in several parts of the match, but the hosts controlled much of the action to build on the momentum they had established in the 20-over section.
Let’s discuss the Talking Points from 1st ODI
1. Jos Buttler, Jacob Bethell impress with half-centuries
With the tourists in desperate need of a middle-order rebuild, both the batters stuck around well together. A lot of running was involved in their 59-run partnership for the fifth wicket. The English skipper scored 52, while the 21-year-old Bethell registered 51.
2. Ravindra Jadeja attains 600 international wickets
Jadeja’s miserly spell shifted the dynamics of the game towards India’s side. He conceded only one boundary in the nine overs he bowled. Jadeja’s third wicket of the day resulted in the star all-rounder becoming only the fifth Indian cricketer to notch up 600 international wickets.
3. Shubman Gill combines with Shreyas Iyer to bale India out of trouble
India were in a slight spot of bother with both the opening batters in the shed within the sixth over of the run-chase. However, Gill joined forces with Iyer to forge together a match-altering stand. Iyer, in particular, was quite assertive in his brand of cricket.
Who Said What?
Winning skipper, Rohit Sharma sai
Pretty happy. We all knew we are playing this format after a long time. I thought right from the beginning, we played as per expectations. They did start well but the way we came back was superb. We wanted a leftie in the middle. It is as simple as that. We know they will spin it back into the left-handers so we wanted a leftie. Gill and Axar batted brilliantly out in the middle. Nothing specific. Overall as a team, I just want us as a team to keep doing the right things as much as possible.
Losing skipper, Jos Buttler said
Disappointed not to win the game. We got off to a fantastic start in the powerplay, but we lost wickets. Another 40-50 runs could have been handy with the way the wicket played towards the end. The guys started really well. The game was in the balance at that point, but credit to Shreyas Iyer to build that partnership. We have to play better for longer.
Player of the Match, Shubman Gill said
I was just trying to be positive. I thought there was something in it for the pacers with the new ball. It was a good call on his part (to attack). I think the pull I hit when I was batting around 70 was my favourite. Pitch was a bit two-paced when the spinners bowled. We tried to score square of the wicket. I just want to take it how Rohit bhai (brother) is thinking and then give whatever inputs I have. He has asked me not to hesitate in giving inputs.
India
