Class – a word that should describe India’s batting department in ODI cricket currently. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who both are enduring poor form, are two of the best ever in the format. With Kohli unavailable for the first IND vs ENG ODI in Nagpur, Yashasvi Jaiswal came in. Although he failed on his ODI debut, he is a generational talent. Talking about talent, we had match-winners of the opening ODI—Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer. While Iyer hit a blazing fifty, Gill’s composure took the side home in a not-so fiercely tightly fought ODI. Yes, India did lose some wickets at the back end, but by then the match was over.
When Gill is around, why miss Virat Kohli?
When India lost their openers early—including an out-of-sorts Rohit Sharma—Shubman Gill walked in with the responsibility of anchoring the innings. He did so with finesse, showing his impeccable timing and ability to script a chase. His 96-ball 87 was a blend of class and aggression, ensuring that India never lost control of the chase when he was around. Whether it was his sublime square cut off Jofra Archer or the deft placement through the off-side against Adil Rashid, Gill made batting look effortless—like he always does. Gill was surely gutted that he couldn’t make it a triple-figure milestone but he finished the chase with his presence.
His partnership with Shreyas Iyer (59) was the turning point of the innings, counterattacking the England bowlers and nullifying the early breakthroughs. While Axar Patel (52) also played a special role in the chase, it was Gill who dictated terms, once again proving why he is the heir apparent to India’s batting throne. It was a Virat Kohli-esque knock, with other batters taking charge from the other end and Gill managing to score runs freely.
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Rohit Sharma still a concern!
For Rohit Sharma, the situation is getting increasingly alarming. The Indian captain perished cheaply yet again, failing to convert a start and extending his woeful run of scores. His last ten innings across formats now read: 0, 8, 18, 11, 3, 6, 10, 3, 9, 2. For a player who has been India’s most prolific ODI batter in the last decade, this dip in form is unsettling, especially with the ICC Champions Trophy around the corner.
At 37, questions about his reflexes and shot selection are beginning to mount. Against England, he once again fell to an attempted aggressive stroke, mistiming a flick off Saqib Mahmood and getting caught. With only two ODIs left in the series, the Indian camp will be desperately hoping for a turnaround.
Harshit Rana’s dream debut shuns English batters
If Gill’s innings was a sign of India’s bright future with the bat, Harshit Rana’s debut with the ball was a reminder of India’s fast-bowling depth. Despite being taken apart by Phil Salt in an early over that went for 26, Rana made a mark with a returning spell. The young pacer struck twice in the powerplay to bring India back into the game, removing Ben Duckett and Harry Brook in the same over. He later returned to dismiss Liam Livingstone, finishing with figures of 3/53. In doing so, he became the first-ever Indian to pick up three-wicket hauls on debut across all three formats—a superb feat after all! Ravindra Jadeja, who completed his 600 wickets, also bag three scalps to bundle England out for just 248.
