Axar and Gill lead India's first victory on UK tour

India 262 for 4 (Gill 80, Patel 57, Sundar 52, Tongue 1-50) beat England 258 (Root 76*, Dawson 68, Axar 4-62, Prasidh 2-50) by six wickets
It took almost three weeks, but India secured its first victory of the UK tour on July 14, 2026, in Birmingham, defeating England in the first ODI at Edgbaston. Shubman Gill played a captain’s innings, scoring 80 not out, leading India to a comfortable six-wicket win with 4.4 overs to spare after chasing a target of 259.
Gill’s innings would have been higher had he not retired hurt due to cramps, though he expressed optimism about being fit for the second ODI on Thursday during an interview with BBC's Test Match Special. Axar Patel contributed an unbeaten 57 and took 4 wickets for 62 runs in England’s innings, while Washington Sundar added 52 not out.
England's performance was marked by a significant collapse as they were dismissed for a subpar 258 runs in 48 overs, with Joe Root's not out score of 76 saving them from a more embarrassing total after they were reduced to 107 for 6 earlier in the innings. This marked England's 13th loss in 19 ODIs since 2025, raising concerns as Brendon McCullum focused on remedial measures following removal from his red-ball coaching role.
India came into this match looking to bounce back after suffering defeats in their last three bilateral series. Despite Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli offering minimal contributions, the return of Jasprit Bumrah provided a much-needed spark in the bowling department, claiming a single wicket while Axar delivered the standout bowling performance.
The contest was filled with action; after losing early wickets, a promising partnership developed between Gill and Shreyas Iyer, which appeared to stabilize the innings. However, Gill’s injury disrupted their momentum, leading to a series of quick dismissals that put pressure on the middle order. Nevertheless, with a few explosive shots from Axar and Washington, India managed to seal the match with ease.
Key Performers:
- India: Shubman Gill (80), Axar Patel (57, 4/62)
- England: Joe Root (76*), Dawson (68)
India’s performance at Edgbaston echoes a successful moment from their previous Test series, marking a hopeful turnaround on this limited-overs tour.