Rohit Sharma explained that the decision to promote Axar Patel to No.5 in the batting order during the first ODI against England was made to maintain a left-hand-right-hand combination and capitalize on Patel’s improved batting ability. The strategy proved to be a masterstroke, as the allrounder played a crucial role in India’s comfortable victory.
India had been set a modest target of 249 after an impressive bowling display led by Ravindra Jadeja, who took 3/26, and debutant Harshit Rana, who finished with 3/53. However, the chase got off to a shaky start with early setbacks, as both Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal were dismissed with just 19 runs on the board.
Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer then steadied the innings with a vital 94-run stand for the third wicket. The turning point, however, came when Axar Patel was sent in ahead of other middle-order options. His promotion proved invaluable as he played a composed and fluent knock of 52 runs. Partnering with Gill, who top-scored with 87, Axar put together a decisive 108-run stand that effectively sealed the match in India’s favor.
With this partnership guiding the team past the finish line, India secured a four-wicket win with 11 overs to spare, making a strong statement in the series opener.
