During the first ODI between India and England at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium on February 6, 2025, Axar Patel's dismissal of Jos Buttler turned the game on its head, contributing to India's victory as they bowled out England for 248 runs.
Winning the toss, England opted to bat first, and they started aggressively. The opening pair of Phil Salt and Ben Duckett set the tone, scoring at will against the Indian bowlers and racing to 75 runs within the powerplay. But the momentum shifted dramatically when Shreyas Iyer's brilliant fielding resulted in the run-out of Salt, marking the beginning of England's collapse.
A flurry of wickets followed, and at 77 for 3, Buttler strolled to the crease amid rising concerns for the English side. Buttler's presence seemed to steady the ship as he partnered with Joe Root. Although Root fell victim to Ravindra Jadeja, Buttler soldiered on and hit his half-century off 58 balls, showing intent to not just stabilize but accelerate England's innings.
Buttler's swift recovery ran aground on the final ball of the 33rd over, bowled by Axar Patel, who delivered what many would deem nothing more than an ordinary delivery. Buttler, aiming to pull, misjudged the length and played the shot too early, resulting in a top edge landed safely in the hands of Hardik Pandya at short fine leg. This moment, which evoked mixed emotions across the ground, was especially distressing for Buttler, who before this match had struggled with his ODI performance in India.The skipper's expression reeked of disbelief and frustration as he strolled back to the pavilion, murmuring under his breath.
The dismissal marked a turning point. Indian fans erupted with joy, recognizing the significance of claiming the English captain’s wicket. Gautam Gambhir, coaching from the sidelines, couldn’t hide his excitement. He was seen tapping the table, displaying the jubilance of his team’s achievement; Axar Patel, on the other hand, took humor from the situation, laughing about the luck of the draw associated with such wickets.
Buttler's total of 52 runs from 67 balls could have been pivotal for England had he remained at the crease. His innings included four boundaries and showcased his capability to build partnerships, especially the 59 runs he amassed with Jacob Bethell. After Buttler's dismissal, England’s outlook rapidly deteriorated, as Axar's induction not only simplified the English batting order but also revitalized the vigor of the Indian bowlers, who quickly seized the control they had let slip.
The match highlighted Buttler's frustrating history of disappointing performances against Indian sides, with the captain’s recent form being under scrutiny. Prior to the game, his ODI statistics on Indian soil were far from flattering, sitting at just 221 runs over 16 innings, and averaging only 13.81. This outing, where he managed to cross the fifty mark, briefly inspired hope amid those trying stats.
Onlookers noted the ripple effect of Buttler’s wicket through the English ranks. Buttler was the cornerstone needed for consolidators following the series of quick dismissals before his entry at the crease. His exit left the English batsmen gripping uncertainty. Following his fall, England's challenging situation became evident as they struggled to post even 250 runs against disciplined Indian bowling.
Axar Patel, turning the game with this one key moment, saw his numbers fall on the wicket chart but celebrated the surprising nature of the dismissal—a classic test of cricketing wit and the essence of the game, where fortune often favors the bold and the unexpected.
Overall, India’s bowling showcased sharp strategy and impeccable execution, with Harshit Rana impressively claiming three wickets on his ODI debut. The performance ringed alarm bells for England, who must rekindle their approach following this telling match. The early momentum they built quickly devolved as India's disciplined bowlers exploited every opening, pulling together to deliver this decisive victory.
The match sets the stage for the remaining fixtures of the series, with India injecting confidence and England confronting mounting concern. All eyes now shift to how these teams will respond as they continue their fierce showdown on the ODI stage.