Nagpur (Maharashtra) [India]: India skipper Rohit Sharma praised the crucial partnership between Shubman Gill and Axar Patel, which played a key role in India’s four-wicket victory against England in the first ODI at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium on Thursday.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Rohit acknowledged that India’s top order struggled initially, but the bowlers did well to bring the team back into the game.
“Pretty happy because we knew we were coming after a long time to this format. We wanted to quickly regroup and understand what is to be done. Didn’t start off well with their openers putting pressure on us, but the way we came back was superb. This is a slightly longer format where you have time to come back. Credit to the bowlers, everyone chipped in,” Rohit told ESPNcricinfo.
Crucial Partnership Between Axar and Gill
Rohit also highlighted the importance of Axar Patel’s promotion to No. 5, saying that the team needed a left-hander to counter England’s spinners.
“We want a lefty in the middle, it is simple. We know they have a couple of spinners who are going to bowl into the left-handers and we wanted one out there. Axar is an improved batter in the last couple of years, we got to see that today. We needed a partnership and Gill and Axar batted really well,” he added.
Match Recap
- England won the toss and opted to bat first.
- Top performances from England:
- Phil Salt – 43 off 26 balls (5 fours, 3 sixes)
- Ben Duckett – 32 off 29 balls (6 fours)
- Jos Buttler (Captain) – 52 off 67 balls (4 boundaries)
- Jacob Bethell – 51 off 64 balls (3 fours, 1 six)
- Jofra Archer – 21* off 18 balls (3 fours, 1 six)
- England all out for 248 in 47.4 overs.
- Top Indian bowlers:
- Ravindra Jadeja – 3/26
- Harshit Rana – 3/53
- Axar Patel, Mohammed Shami, and Kuldeep Yadav – 1 wicket each
India’s Run Chase
- Top scorers for India:
- Shubman Gill – 87 off 96 balls (14 fours)
- Shreyas Iyer – 59 off 36 balls (9 fours, 2 sixes)
- Axar Patel – 52 off 47 balls (6 fours, 1 six)
- India chased down the target in 44.3 overs, winning by four wickets.
England’s Bowling Highlights
- Saqib Mahmood – 2 wickets
- Adil Rashid – 2 wickets
Next Match
India will face England in the second ODI on Sunday in Cuttack.