England struggle against India in 1st ODI despite Root’s efforts

By Arjun Sharma — 14 July 2026 — 3 min read

Early struggles for England

In the opening One Day International (ODI) of the series, England faced a challenging start after winning the toss and opting to bat first against India. The initial partnership between Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell provided a solid foundation, accumulating 61 runs for the first wicket. However, this early momentum shifted significantly in the 13th over when India secured their first breakthrough, altering the match’s dynamics.

India’s bowlers then began to take control, claiming multiple wickets in quick succession. Within a span of 19 runs and 26 deliveries, England found themselves in a difficult position, with the scoreboard reading 80/5. This period saw key dismissals, including Sam Curran and Jos Buttler, who departed after attempting to play aggressively.

The Indian bowling attack, featuring Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, and Gurnoor Brar, proved effective in dismantling England’s top order. Gurnoor Brar secured the first wicket by dismissing Jacob Bethell, who pulled a short ball towards the square leg region, where Washington Sundar made a catch. Following this, Ben Duckett also fell, caught by Jasprit Bumrah in the deep, further intensifying England’s struggles.

Root and Dawson attempt to rebuild

Following the rapid fall of wickets, Joe Root emerged as a central figure for England, attempting to stabilize the innings. He was joined by Will Jacks, and together they worked to rebuild. However, Shivam Dube eventually broke this partnership, dismissing Will Jacks with a delivery that nipped away off the seam, resulting in an outside edge caught by KL Rahul. This wicket left England at 107/6 in the 21.4th over.

After Will Jacks’ departure, Liam Dawson came to the crease to bat alongside Joe Root. The pair focused on accumulating singles, with Root taking on the role of anchor. Dawson managed to get off the mark with a single, angling a shorter delivery wide of point. The partnership aimed to navigate the Indian bowling attack, which included Axar Patel and Shivam Dube, who continued to bowl tight lines.

Gurnoor Brar also continued to pose a threat, delivering a sharp short ball that struck Dawson’s gloves. Despite the pressure, Root demonstrated resilience, even managing a boundary with a reverse scoop off Axar Patel. By the end of the 30th over, England had reached 143/6, with Joe Root and Liam Dawson at the crease. India’s bowlers maintained their disciplined approach, with Jasprit Bumrah, despite his earlier impact, being held back for later in the innings.

India’s bowling strategy

India’s bowling strategy for the match involved a six-man attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah. The team opted to include three all-rounders in their playing XI: Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, and Shivam Dube. This selection choice meant that Kuldeep Yadav was not included in the squad for the first ODI. The decision to prioritize batting depth by including multiple all-rounders has been a consistent theme for the Indian team under head coach Gautam Gambhir.

The Indian playing XI for the match included Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Washington Sundar, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Gurnoor Brar, Jasprit Bumrah, and Prasidh Krishna. This lineup showcased a blend of experienced players and emerging talents like Gurnoor Brar, who had previously impressed in an ODI series against Afghanistan.

Jasprit Bumrah’s return to the ODI format marked his first appearance since the 2023 World Cup final. His early performance in the match indicated good rhythm, as he started strongly, though Ben Duckett did manage a boundary off his final ball in one over. The Indian bowlers collectively aimed to restrict England’s scoring opportunities and secure wickets throughout the innings.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com