Fri Feb 07 07:38:27 UTC 2025: ## India Wins First ODI Against England
**Nagpur, India:** India has taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series against England, winning the first match by 4 wickets on Thursday. England, batting first, was bowled out for 248 runs in 47.4 overs. Jos Buttler (52) and Jacob Bethell (51) scored half-centuries, while Phil Salt’s explosive 43 off 26 balls provided an early burst. Ravindra Jadeja and Harshit Rana were the pick of the Indian bowlers, each taking three wickets.
India chased down the target in 38.4 overs, losing 6 wickets in the process. Shubman Gill (87), Shreyas Iyer (59), and Axar Patel (52) were the top scorers for India. Gill and Iyer put on a crucial 94-run partnership for the third wicket, while Axar’s promotion to the batting order proved to be a masterstroke.
Despite Salt’s initial onslaught, which included 26 runs in a single Rana over, Rana eventually turned the tide, taking key wickets. The debutants, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rana, marked their ODI debuts for India. Jaiswal’s innings was crucial to India’s victory.
Kohli’s absence was noted; he missed the match due to a knee injury sustained during practice. Shreyas Iyer commented on his last minute inclusion in the team.
The second ODI will be played in Cuttack on Sunday.
First Piper 