07/14/26 01:16:00
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07/14 13:14 CDT India finally breaks through in the UK after beating England in
ODI at Edgbaston
India finally breaks through in the UK after beating England in ODI at Edgbaston
BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) --- India finally won on its tour of the United
Kingdom after handing England its first one-day international defeat at
Edgbaston in 12 years on Tuesday.
England fought back from 107-6 to be 258 all out but couldn't defend it. A calm
and collected India paced the run chase superbly and reached 262-4 to win by
six wickets with 28 balls remaining.
The victory revives what has been a dismal tour for India. The Twenty20 world
champion was blanked in that format by Ireland in Belfast 2-0 and by England
4-0, surrendering its No. 1 ranking.
But ODI reinforcements in the shape of captain Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rohit
Sharma, Jaspit Bumrah and Lokesh Rahul --- many of whom hadn't played for weeks
--- proved too good for England at the start of a three-match series.
The only blemish for India was Gill retiring hurt on 80 due to cramps. Gill was
well poised for his third century in his last five internationals for India
until he hobbled off. He said he should be available for the second ODI on
Thursday in Cardiff.
"We were put under pressure but how we came back and bounced back was
important," Gill said. "The conditions were close to South Africa (which hosts
the 50-over World Cup next year) --- the ball was kicking up, wasn't easy to
score. The wicket then settled nicely."
The target was hardly taxing but India's risk-free run chase had to overcome a
couple of wobbles.
Openers Sharma and Kohli were dismissed cheaply inside the first nine overs.
Gill restored confidence with a fifty from 51 balls, including 30 from
boundaries. When he retired hurt on 80 from 75, India suffered another wobble
of three wickets in 15 deliveries.
Shreyas Iyer was run out on 35 by Harry Brook and Rahul played on to Josh
Tongue.
But allrounders Washington Sundar and Axar Patel recovered the momentum with
constant singles that wore down England hopes.
Sundar survived on 28 when the ball bounced off his pad and shoe and hit the
stumps but didn't knock off a bail. He and the more aggressive Patel strolled
home with an unbeaten partnership of 102 from a leisurely 105 balls.
Patel was 57 not out for his fourth ODI fifty while Sundar hit a career-best 52
with a winning six down the ground on one knee.
Patel was named the player of the match for also taking England's last four
wickets. He's the sixth Indian man to get a fifty and a 4-for in an ODI and
first since 2022 by Hardik Pandya against England in Manchester.
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AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
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