India Takes Lead in ODI Series with 6-Wicket Victory Over England

July 15, 2026

Birmingham, July 14: India secured a 6-wicket victory against England in the first match of the ODI series. After losing the T20 series 0-4, the visiting team finally opened their account with this win. India now leads the three-match ODI series 1-0.

Winning the toss, England opted to bat but was bowled out for just 258 runs in 47.5 overs. The opening pair of Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethel managed to put together a partnership of 61 runs in 12.2 overs.

Bethel returned to the pavilion after scoring just 14 runs, while Duckett contributed 43 runs off 45 balls, hitting 2 sixes and 6 fours. Following the fall of the opening partnership, England struggled significantly, losing 6 wickets for just 107 runs in 21.4 overs. Liam Dawson then joined Joe Root, and together they built a solid partnership of 121 runs for the seventh wicket off 134 balls.

Dawson scored 68 runs from 83 balls, hitting 7 boundaries, while Root remained unbeaten on 76 runs from 76 balls, which included 1 six and 6 fours. For India, Axar Patel was the standout bowler, taking 4 wickets, while Gurnoor Barar and Prasidh Krishna claimed 2 wickets each. Jasprit Bumrah and Shivam Dube each took 1 wicket.

In response, India chased down the target in 45.2 overs. Captain Shubman Gill partnered with the experienced Rohit Sharma to add 43 runs in just 7.3 overs. Rohit departed after scoring 11 runs, and the team lost Virat Kohli (5) in the next over.

At 48 runs, India had lost 2 wickets. Gill then formed a crucial partnership of 101 runs for the third wicket with Shreyas Iyer (35), putting India back on track for victory.

Captain Gill had to leave the field due to cramps in the 25.4 over, having scored 80 runs off 75 balls, which included 1 six and 11 fours. Washington Sundar then took charge, forming an unbeaten partnership of 102 runs for the sixth wicket with Axar Patel, leading the team to an easy win. Sundar scored 52 runs off 63 balls, including 1 six and 4 fours, while Patel remained not out at 57 runs off 52 balls. From the opposition, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, and Sam Curran each took 1 wicket.

The second match of the ODI series between the two countries will be held on July 16 in Cardiff, followed by the third match at Lord’s on July 19.