6 key moments as Shubman Gill leads India past England

Australian cricket followers watching the balance of power ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup saw a clear warning at Edgbaston: India’s experienced 50-over side remains difficult to contain. Captain Shubman Gill scored 80 from 75 balls before retiring with cramp, helping India chase 259 and defeat England by six wickets with 28 balls remaining. The result gave India a 1-0 lead in the three-match series and ended a six-game losing run across their tour of Ireland and England.

Setting the Scene

India entered the match after losing two T20 internationals to Ireland and four more against England. The ODI side, however, was strengthened by the return of Gill, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and KL Rahul. That experience immediately changed the shape of the contest.

England’s circumstances were different. Harry Brook’s team had climbed to the top of the T20 rankings, but its one-day record remained poor, with 14 defeats in 20 ODIs. England was also eighth in the ODI standings, placing added pressure on every result as it pursued automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup.

Here's What Happened

England chose to bat and began steadily, reaching 61 without loss. The innings then unravelled. Jacob Bethell, Ben Duckett and Brook fell in quick succession, and England eventually slipped to 80-5 before Will Jacks departed at 107-6.

Joe Root and Liam Dawson prevented a complete collapse. Root finished unbeaten on 76 from 76 balls, while Dawson made a career-best 68. Their seventh-wicket partnership was reported as 121 runs, carrying England to 258 before Axar Patel removed the lower order and completed figures of 4-62.

India then lost Rohit for 11 and Kohli for five, giving England an early opening. Gill responded with controlled aggression, striking 11 fours and a six in his 80. His 101-run stand with Shreyas Iyer moved India to 149-2 and placed the chase firmly under the visitors’ control.

The match briefly tightened when Gill left the field with cramp, Iyer was run out for 35 and KL Rahul was bowled for one. India had fallen to 160-4, still needing 99 runs. Axar and Washington Sundar answered with an unbeaten 102-run partnership from 105 balls. Axar made 57 not out, Washington finished unbeaten on 52 and sealed the result with a six.

Reactions & Responses

England captain Harry Brook identified the decisive period as his team’s collapse after a promising start.

Losing five wickets for 20 put us on the back foot, but the way the boys fought after that was phenomenal. We’d like to have played better in that period of the game.

Gill later clarified that the problem forcing him from the field was cramp rather than a hamstring injury. He said he expected to be fit for the second ODI in Cardiff, a significant update given the authority of his innings and his role as captain.

The Bigger Picture

India’s victory showed how quickly its ODI depth can alter a match. Gill stabilised the chase after two early wickets, while Axar influenced both innings with four wickets and an unbeaten half-century. Washington’s calm contribution ensured Gill’s departure did not become a turning point.

For England, the defeat exposed a gap between its T20 form and its 50-over performance. The hosts were bowled out for the 11th time in their last 19 ODIs, while their all-rounders were outperformed by Axar and Washington. Root and Dawson repaired the innings, but the target still left India room to absorb setbacks.

Australian readers have a direct reason to follow the series: both teams are shaping combinations for the 2027 World Cup in southern Africa. India’s ability to combine senior batters with adaptable all-rounders strengthens its position, while England’s ranking and repeated batting collapses remain concerns.

The Road Ahead

The second ODI is scheduled for Thursday, 16 July at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff. Gill expects to be available after describing his injury concern as cramp.

The third and final match is set for Sunday, 19 July at Lord’s in London. India leads the series 1-0.