Thu Feb 06 16:11:57 UTC 2025: ## India Dominates England in ODI Series Opener
**Nagpur, India:** India launched their ODI series against England with a resounding 4-wicket victory in the first match played in Nagpur. The convincing win, achieved with more than 10 overs to spare, marks a strong start to the series, serving as crucial preparation for the upcoming Champions Trophy.
India’s bowlers set the tone, restricting England to 248 runs despite a brisk start by the English openers. Debutant Harshit Rana impressed with 3 wickets, sharing the spotlight with Ravindra Jadeja, who also claimed 3 crucial scalps. Jos Buttler (52) and Jacob Bethell (51) offered resistance for England, but ultimately fell short against India’s disciplined bowling attack. Mohammed Shami, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav each picked up a wicket.
While Yashasvi Jaiswal’s ODI debut was cut short, the Indian batting lineup showcased its power. Shubman Gill top-scored with a brilliant 87, complemented by impressive half-centuries from Shreyas Iyer (59 off 30 balls) and Axar Patel (52). Iyer’s aggressive innings, featuring three boundaries in a single over, provided the impetus, while Axar’s composed partnership with Gill sealed the victory. Captain Rohit Sharma’s poor form continued, falling early for 2 runs.
This win demonstrates India’s strong return to ODI cricket after a significant gap, instilling confidence heading into the upcoming crucial matches.
First Piper 