India Shows Depth as England Falters in Nagpur ODI
If anyone doubted India’s bench strength, their win against England on February 6 at Nagpur’s VCA Stadium put those doubts to rest. Chasing 249 on a tricky pitch, the Indian side, without Virat Kohli, showed they have plenty of match-winners waiting in the wings. It was the kind of performance that brings out the crowd’s loudest cheers, especially when the big names are missing.
England came in looking to make a statement, but early on, they had their struggles. Debutant Harshit Rana announced himself to the international scene with a fiery opening spell, removing Will Jacks and Ben Duckett, with a bit of fielding magic thrown in by Yashasvi Jaiswal diving forward for a sharp catch. Ravindra Jadeja, the ever-reliable left-armer, worked his way through the middle overs, picking up three wickets while keeping the English run rate in check. England managed handy contributions from Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, and young Jacob Bethell—all getting past the forty mark—but none could really take off. After 50 overs, England limped to 248, falling short of a run-a-ball mark that Nagpur’s surface demanded for a good score.
India didn’t have it all their own way in the chase, especially after losing Jaiswal early. But Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer put their heads down, calmly chipping away at the target. Gill, always easy on the eye, kept the scoreboard moving with deft placement and clever running. Iyer, batting with intent, took the few risks needed to keep the pressure off the lower middle-order. Their 116-run stand got India in the driver’s seat well before the halfway mark.
After Iyer and Gill fell, England sniffed a chance, but that’s where India’s depth came into play. With Axar Patel surprisingly promoted up the order, he grabbed his moment. Usually known for his steady left-arm spin, Axar flourished with the bat, finishing unbeaten on 52. He swung momentum back with a blend of cheeky singles and a couple of crunchy boundaries. By the time he lofted David Willey for a straight six in the 37th over, England’s spirits were flatlining. India reached the target with 68 balls left, making it look easier than it was—never letting England back into the contest.
Virat Kohli’s absence often looms large, but this game showed India is more than its leading men. Harshit Rana grabbed headlines on debut, Jadeja pulled the middle overs back, the top order was steady, and Axar Patel aced his new role. England might look back and wonder if they left 30 runs out there, but credit belongs to India’s bowlers for tight lines and clever plans.
Key Takeaways and Talking Points
The gamble to promote Axar up the order paid off in style, showing India’s tactical adaptability. Shubman Gill’s innings oozed class, and Iyer’s form will comfort the think-tank heading into the next game. From the England camp, Jos Buttler and Phil Salt threatened to grab control, but the middle overs proved too challenging against India’s spin attack. The loss of wickets at regular intervals meant they never truly settled.
- Harshit Rana’s integration into the Indian attack brings an exciting new pace option, especially handy on dry, spin-friendly pitches.
- The fielding, especially Jaiswal’s diving take, set the tone for the kind of energy this younger Indian side is bringing to the table.
- India’s ability to cross the finish line without its biggest superstars hints at a squad gelling at the right time—something selectors and fans can both smile about.
With a 1-0 lead and momentum fiercely in their hands, India will look to build on this. But in ODI cricket, the tables can turn fast. England will want to reassess, but this Indian side just proved why they’re so hard to beat at home—across both batting and bowling, the depth runs deep.
