Nagpur (Maharashtra) [India], February 6: Ravindra Jadeja and debutant Harshit Rana starred with the ball, taking three wickets each to help India bowl out England for 248 in 47.4 overs at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. India now needs 249 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the ODI series.
England won the toss and elected to bat first. Openers Phil Salt and Ben Duckett got England off to a strong start, with Salt smashing debutant Harshit Rana for 26 runs in a single over, including three sixes and two fours. The Englishmen reached 50 runs in just six overs, but a brilliant run out by Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul removed Salt for 43 off 28 balls. Duckett followed soon after, becoming Harshit’s first ODI wicket as he top-edged a delivery into the hands of Yashasvi Jaiswal, leaving England at 77/2 in the 10th over.
After an early breakthrough, India continued to make progress with a well-executed bowling strategy. Jadeja’s left-arm spin trapped Joe Root leg-before for just 19, leaving England at 111/4 in the 19th over. Skipper Jos Buttler, alongside Jacob Bethell, tried to steady the innings with a 59-run partnership, but Buttler’s knock of 52 was cut short by Axar Patel, leaving England at 170/5 in 33 overs.
Harshit continued to make an impact, dismissing Liam Livingstone for 5, bringing England to 183/6. Bethell fought back, reaching a well-earned half-century off 62 balls, but was dismissed by Jadeja for 51 in the 43rd over. Despite a few lusty blows from Jofra Archer, including two fours and a six, England’s aggressive approach was curtailed by Jadeja, who rattled the stumps of Adil Rashid to leave England at 241/9.
Saqib Mahmood was stumped by Rahul on a Kuldeep Yadav delivery, ending England’s innings at 248 in 47.4 overs. Jadeja (3/26) and Harshit (3/53) were the standout bowlers for India, though Harshit was hit for some runs early on. Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Mohammed Shami each picked up a wicket.
With a target of 249 runs, India now looks to chase down the total and take the lead in the series.