India ended a miserable seven-match winless streak across formats in England with a commanding six-wicket victory over the hosts in the first ODI at Edgbaston on Monday. Axar Patel delivered a jaw-dropping all-round display — 4 for 62 with the ball and an unbeaten 57 with the bat — as India chased down 259 with 28 balls to spare, breaking England’s 12-year unbeaten ODI home record at the Birmingham fortress.
Birmingham, England: Edgbaston has long been a graveyard for visiting sides. England had not lost an ODI at this ground since 2014, and that sole defeat had also come against India. On a warm Monday evening, history repeated itself in the most emphatic fashion, with the Men in Blue tearing through England’s celebrated batting lineup and then absorbing a dramatic mid-innings wobble to claim a decisive series lead.
The context made the win sweeter. India had arrived at Edgbaston carrying the scars of back-to-back T20I series defeats — first to Ireland, then to England. The ODI series offered a reset, and India grasped it with both hands.
Brar Sparks the Collapse
England won the toss and chose to bat, looking to exploit any early-morning assistance from the Edgbaston surface. Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell negotiated the first powerplay confidently, helping England reach 51 without loss. Bumrah, as ever, was economical — conceding just eight runs from his opening four overs — but couldn’t find the breakthrough.
The real damage was done by Gurnoor Brar, the young Punjab seamer who delivered a stunning double-strike in the 13th over to remove Duckett for 45 and Bethell for 14 in the same over. England stuttered to 64 for three in 13.1 overs, and Prasidh Krishna kept the pressure on, dismissing Jos Buttler — playing his 200th ODI, becoming only the second Englishman after Eoin Morgan to reach the milestone — and Sam Curran in quick succession to leave England reeling at five down inside 17 overs.
Root and Dawson Rescue England
What followed was a masterclass in partnership batting under pressure. Joe Root, that most dependable of England’s middle-order anchors, and Liam Dawson steadied the ship with a crucial stand that carried England to a competitive total. Root finished with 76 and Dawson contributed 68 as England clawed their way to 258 all out, a score that — given the conditions and the early implosion — was far better than it had any right to be.
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The late-innings defiance gave England belief that 258 on this surface might be enough to test India’s batting depth, particularly with Jofra Archer primed and ready to continue from where he left in T20Is.
Kohli, Rohit Fall Early — Gill Steps Up
India’s chase began with high drama. Rohit Sharma, whose astonishing record at Edgbaston includes an average of 89.4 across ODIs at the ground, was strangled by Sam Curran for just 11. Then Kohli, playing his first game on the tour to enormous fanfare, was trapped in front by Archer for five. Two icons back in the pavilion inside ten overs, and the Edgbaston crowd buzzing.
What followed was a composed, mature response from Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer. India’s captain led from the front, accumulating runs with controlled intent before bringing up a half-century and pushing India’s score towards 160. Then disaster struck — a delivery from Josh Tongue struck Gill, who retired hurt, leaving India in genuine trouble at 160 for four after Iyer and KL Rahul had also departed. Three wickets in the space of 11 runs, and the middle order gone.
Axar and Washington Finish the Job
Into this precarious situation strode Axar Patel, arriving as a pinch hitter with India needing nearly 100 from around 15 overs. What transpired was one of the most complete all-round performances seen in an ODI this year. Axar, already holding figures of 4 for 62 from his bowling spell that had helped dismantle England’s middle order, now batted with authority and calm, clearing the rope when required and rotating strike with Washington Sundar.
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Sundar, often criticised for his batting role in this Indian side, silenced the doubters with an unbeaten 52. The pair added an unconquered 102 — a partnership that turned anxiety into authority — as India sealed the chase in 45.2 overs with six wickets in hand. Sundar finished the game in style, lofting Adil Rashid straight over the bowler’s head to bring up his fifty and clinch victory simultaneously.
Gill, speaking after the win, reflected on the resilience his team had shown: the value of the lower middle order standing up to be counted, and the belief within the camp that even 300-plus targets on this surface would hold no fear.
Series Picture and What Comes Next
The result ends England’s remarkable run of seven consecutive ODI wins at Edgbaston, a record stretching back to 2015. It also continues India’s dominant recent run in bilateral ODI cricket against England — they have now won each of their last five head-to-head ODI encounters. With the second match coming in Cardiff in just two days, India hold the early initiative in a three-match series that carries significant World Cup 2027 preparation value for both sides.
England 258 all out (50 overs) | Joe Root 76*, Liam Dawson 68; Gurnoor Brar 2/61-, Prasidh Krishna 2/50-
India 262/4 (45.2 overs) | Shubman Gill 80 (ret. hurt), Axar Patel 57, Washington Sundar 52**
India won by 6 wickets (28 balls remaining)
Player of the Match: Axar Patel (India) — 4/62 & 57*
