Axar Patel produced a match-winning all-round display as India defeated England by six wickets in the opening One-Day International at Edgbaston on Tuesday, combining a four-wicket haul with an unbeaten half-century to guide his side to a commanding victory.
After helping restrict England to 258, Axar returned to anchor India’s chase with an unbeaten 57 from 52 deliveries. He was well supported by Washington Sundar, who remained not out on 52, as the pair stitched together an unbroken 102-run partnership to steer India to the target with more than four overs to spare.
India’s pursuit of 259 began on an uneasy note with Rohit Sharma falling for 11. Captain Shubman Gill then took control of the innings with a composed 80, balancing caution with attacking stroke play before retiring hurt. Virat Kohli’s dismissal for five briefly lifted England’s hopes, but Gill and Shreyas Iyer steadied the innings with a valuable partnership.
Iyer contributed 35 before being run out, while KL Rahul departed for just one, leaving India at four wickets down and giving England an opportunity to fight back. However, Axar and Sundar absorbed the pressure with a calm and calculated stand, rotating the strike effectively while capitalising on scoring opportunities to complete the chase without further setbacks.
Earlier, England made a promising start after being asked to bat but lost momentum during the middle overs as India’s bowlers tightened their grip on the contest. Axar played a pivotal role in dismantling the batting line-up, using disciplined bowling and subtle variations to claim four crucial wickets.
Joe Root top-scored for England with an unbeaten 76, while Liam Dawson struck a fighting 68 to revive the innings after the hosts had slumped by losing five wickets for 19 runs. Ben Duckett added 43, but England’s lower order was unable to provide the late flourish as the innings ended at 258 in 47.5 overs.
India’s bowling effort was complemented by Prasidh Krishna and Gurnoor Brar, who claimed two wickets each. Jasprit Bumrah also achieved a significant milestone by taking his 150th wicket in One-Day Internationals during the innings.
Axar’s decisive contribution with both bat and ball earned him the Player of the Match award and once again underlined his value as one of India’s most dependable all-rounders.
The win extended India’s unbeaten run against England in ODIs to six consecutive matches and handed the hosts their first defeat in the format at Edgbaston since 2015. India now lead the three-match series 1-0 and will aim to clinch the series in the second ODI, while England face the task of bouncing back after letting another promising position slip away.
