Shubman Gill 80, Axar-Washington stand gives India 1-0 lead over England in ODI series

Shubman Gill continued his excellent record at Edgbaston with a fluent 80 as India beat England by six wickets in the first ODI at Edgbaston on Tuesday to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.Gill again performed at the venue where he scored 269 and 161 during India’s Test win last year. His 80 off 75 balls put India in control of the chase before cramps and a paralysis problem forced him to retire injured with a century within reach.Chasing 259 early, India lost Rohit Sharma (11) and Virat Kohli (5) to slump to 48/2. Gill then rebuilt the innings with vice-captain Shreyas Iyer to add 101 runs for the third wicket.Gill looked in control during the innings, hitting 11 fours and a six. He balanced the attack carefully, playing drives through the offs and sides while pulling Josh Tongue for a six. However, physical discomfort cut short his innings, calf cramps followed by hamstring problems forced him to retire in the 80s with an injury.England found their way back into the competition soon after Gill’s departure. Iyer, who was on 35, was run out and KL Rahul was later bowled by Tongue.However, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar ensured that there were no further setbacks. The pair stitched together an unbeaten stand of 102 runs for the fifth wicket, taking India home in 45.2 overs.Axar, who struggled for runs during the T20I series, remained unbeaten on 57 off 52 balls while Washington finished on 52 not out from 63 deliveries. The duo handled Jofr Archer’s pace and rotated well against England’s spinners to finish the chase comfortably.The win was India’s first on their ongoing tour of the UK.Earlier, Joe Root and Liam Dawson rescued England after a batting collapse with a 121-run partnership for the seventh wicket.England were 61 for no loss at the start of the 13th over but slumped to 107 for 6 before Root and Dawson rebuilt the innings. Root scored 76 off 76 balls while Dawson scored a career-best 68 off 83 deliveries as England posted 258 after electing to bat.Root paced his innings well and struck after Jasprit Bumrah completed his opening spells. He hit six fours and a six, including the ramp blasted by bouncer Bumrah.Bumrah finished with figures of 1 for 31 in nine overs and was India’s most economical bowler. Gurnoor Brar took 2 for 61 while Prasidh Krishna took 2 for 50. Axar then cleaned up the lower order to finish with 4 for 62 after breaking Root-Dawson’s stand.