IND vs ENG 1st ODI: Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel Shine as India Clinches Four-Wicket Win

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India kicked off the three-match ODI series against England with a commanding four-wicket victory at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, thanks to stellar performances from Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, and Axar Patel.

With Virat Kohli sidelined due to a sore knee and Rohit Sharma struggling for form, vice-captain Gill anchored India's chase with a composed 87 off 96 balls. He was well supported by Iyer's explosive 59 (36) and Axar's crucial 52 (36).

That ensured that India successfully chased down England's 248 with 68 balls to spare. Opting to bat first, England looked set for a big total as Phil Salt (43 off 26) and Ben Duckett (32) gave them a flying start. Salt, in particular, took debutant Harshit Rana apart, smashing 26 runs in a single over.

However, India clawed back as Rana dismissed Duckett and Harry Brook in the same over, reducing England from 75/0 to 77/3. Jos Buttler (52) and young Jacob Bethell (51) attempted to rebuild with a 59-run partnership, but Ravindra Jadeja (3/26) and Axar Patel (1/38) struck regularly.

Their joint efforts kept England in check. Rana, despite a shaky start, finished with 3/53, while Mohammed Shami, returning to ODIs after a long gap, cleaned up Brydon Carse to restrict England to a modest 248.

Gill, Iyer, and Axar Steady India's Chase

India's reply started on a shaky note as Jaiswal (15) edged behind off Jofra Archer and Rohit (2) mistimed a shot to midwicket, leaving India reeling at 19/2. But Iyer counter-attacked with a flurry of boundaries, including two consecutive sixes off Archer, racing to a 30-ball fifty.

His aggressive 94-run stand with Gill put India in control before Bethell trapped him LBW. Gill then took charge, playing risk-free cricket while Axar's clean hitting against spin tilted the game further in India's favor. The left-hander smashed two sixes and nine fours before falling to Adil Rashid.

England fought back with late wickets, dismissing Gill just 13 runs short of a century, but Jadeja and Hardik Pandya ensured India reached the target without further hiccups. With the win, India takes a 1-0 lead in the series, but Rohit's form remains a concern ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy next week.