India kicked off their ICC Champions Trophy preparations on the right note by clinching victory against England by four wickets in the first One Day International (ODI) match at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur, on February 6, 2025. This hard-fought win allowed India to take a commanding lead of 1-0 in the three-match ODI series.
The match began with England opting to bat first, but the visitors found themselves bundled out for 248 runs after 47.4 overs. Despite getting off to a fast start, England peppered their innings with wickets lost at regular intervals. The openers, Phil Salt and Ben Duckett, set the tone, contributing 43 and 32 runs respectively, but it was the captain, Jos Buttler, and Jacob Bethell, who put up stiff resistance, scoring 52 and 51 runs.
For India, it was debutant pacer Harshit Rana and seasoned spinner Ravindra Jadeja who stole the show, picking up three wickets each and limiting England's run flow. Rana made his mark with figures of 3/53, showcasing the potential heralded by his debut. Jadeja, on the other hand, displayed his consistent bowling prowess, with 3/26, dismantling the English lineup when they had momentum.
The Indian chase began rocky as they lost opener Yashasvi Jaiswal for just 15 runs and captain Rohit Sharma for only 2 runs, leaving India at 19 for 2. At this point, the pressure was palpable. But stepping up to the challenge were Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, launching India’s fightback through their scintillated partnership.
Shubman Gill, batting at No. 3 due to Virat Kohli’s absence, solidified the innings, scoring 87 runs off 96 balls adorned with 14 boundaries. His knock was instrumental, particularly after recovering from the early loss of two wickets. Gill adopted a steady approach, patiently assessing the run chase and forming key partnerships. "Shubman Gill scored 87 runs off 96 balls," reported NDTV Sports Desk, highlighting his pivotal role.
Alongside Gill, Shreyas Iyer was exceptional, displaying aggressive intent with his 59 runs off just 36 deliveries. This included back-to-back sixes off Jofra Archer, instilling confidence within the Indian lineup. Their third-wicket partnership amassed 94 runs, easing tension after the alarming early exits of the top order.
After Iyer’s dismissal, Gill continued to anchor the innings before joining forces with Axar Patel who scored 52 runs. The duo combined for another substantial 108-run partnership, complementing each other effectively and steering India closer to their target amid mounting pressure as wickets continued to tumble.
Throughout the chase, there were anxious moments as India lost three quick wickets, but veteran players Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja provided the necessary stability, resulting in their eventual victory with 11.2 overs to spare.
India comfortably reached the target of 249 runs, finishing their innings at 250 for the loss of six wickets within 38.4 overs. The balanced mix of aggressive batting and solid bowling laid the foundation for their triumph on home turf. "The victory helped the hosts take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series," as mentioned by reports.
With this decisive victory, the first ODI heralded positive momentum for India as they head to the next match, scheduled for Sunday, eagerly aiming to maintain their winning streak. Fans and analysts alike will keep their eyes on how stars continue to align for India as they gear up for the impending Champions Trophy, with players like Gill proving they are ready to take center stage. Shubman Gill's performance also resettled any doubts about his form after struggling during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy; his innings marked not only his versatility but also served as clear evidence of his capacity for leadership under pressure.