India Clinch First Win on UK Tour, Beat England by Six Wickets in First ODI
India secured their first victory on the UK tour, defeating England by six wickets in the first One-Day International (ODI) at Edgbaston on Tuesday. The win was built on a strong all-round performance, with captain Shubman Gill leading the chase and Axar Patel contributing with both bat and ball.
Chasing England's total of 258, India reached 259 for 4 in 47.2 overs. Gill top-scored with 80 off 75 balls before retiring hurt due to cramps. His innings, which included confident footwork against a testing surface, set the platform for the chase. He added 101 runs for the third wicket with Shreyas Iyer, who made 35 before being run out. After Gill's departure, Axar Patel remained unbeaten on 57 off 64 balls, guiding India home alongside Washington Sundar (18 not out). The lower order showed composure, avoiding a collapse after KL Rahul fell for 12.
Earlier, England's innings followed a roller-coaster trajectory. Openers Phil Salt and Ben Duckett added 60 for the first wicket, but a swift collapse reduced them to 80 for 5. Jasprit Bumrah (2 for 28), Prasidh Krishna (2 for 44) and debutant Gurnoor Brar (2 for 49) were instrumental. However, Joe Root (76 not out) and Liam Dawson (68) shared a 112-run stand for the sixth wicket, reviving the innings from 107 for 6. England looked set for a total beyond 250, but a late collapse from 250 for 7 to 258 all out, with Root left stranded, dented their prospects.
Bumrah, playing his first ODI since the 2023 World Cup final, immediately found rhythm, troubling the left-handed Duckett with pace and movement. Prasidh Krishna used extra bounce effectively. Axar Patel, though expensive with the ball (4 for 62), was the joint-highest wicket-taker, but his batting was the standout.
The inclusion of three all-rounders — Axar, Washington Sundar, and Shivam Dube — allowed India to maintain depth in both batting and bowling. The team's ability to chase without significant contributions from senior players Virat Kohli (5) and Rohit Sharma (11) provided a confidence boost. The win was India's first on the UK tour after losses in the T20I series.
