LONDON: Rohit Sharma, in imperious form, led India to an overwhelming 10-wicket victory in the first of three one-day internationals (ODI) and the outstanding Jasprit Bumrah, the Player of the Match, claimed six wickets for 19 in 7.2 overs in a marvellous display of pace bowling, achieving ball movement and bounce, which gave him career best ODI figures, and the best by an Indian fast bowler in ODIs in England.
The England batting was totally ripped apart by Bumrah as they were dismissed for 110 in just 25.2 overs with four of the specialist batsmen failing to score under the relentless pressure exerted by India’s opening bowlers in which Mohammad Shami claimed three for 31.
In India’s reply, Sharma remained unbeaten on 76 from 58 balls and Shikhar Dhawan was not out with 31 as the two made the England bowling look quite innocuous. In addition to his seven fours, the India captain helped himself to five sixes, two of which were in one over off fast bowler Brydon Carse and then another over long leg in the bowler’s last over before he completed the win with a four to deep point.
Dhawan gave excellent support to the more aggressive Sharma but played some beautiful shots that brought him four fours. England tried as many as six bowlers during the 79 minutes of India’s rampage but none made an impression on either Sharma or Dhawan as they took the game ruthlessly away from England.
Earlier, after being asked to bat first on a grassy pitch and in muggy conditions, England couldn’t have got off to a worse start losing the first two wickets in the second over of the innings bowled by Bumrah. Jason Roy was the first to depart, inside-edging on to his stumps and two balls later Joe Root was held behind. Rishabh Pant took a fine right-handed diving catch.
It got worse for England a run later with Shami claiming Ben Stokes’ wicket and he too fell for a duck as Pant took another right-handed diving catch. Shami had switched around the wicket and had brought the ball sharply into Stokes who played at it hurriedly without much foot movement.
While Jonny Bairstow was still in and after his phenomenal batting in the Test match last week, England had some hope of making a recovery but India had other ideas. Bumrah was far from finished, he had Bairstow held, this time Pant took the catch diving in front of first slip and England had lost four for 17 in 5.3 overs. Liam Livingstone was bowled around his legs as he tried to drive Bumrah to the leg side and half of the England side had gone for 26.
Shami, in a new spell, got back among the wickets claiming the next two after Prasidh Krishna had taken a low return catch from Moeen Ali for 14.
Buttler, having top-scored with 30 from 32 balls, pulled Shami for a catch at square leg and nine runs later Shami bowled Craig Overton through the gate to reduce England to 68 for eight. Finally, Bumrah yorked Carse for 15 and bowled David Willey for 21.
India captain Sharma said: “We never really worry too much about the conditions because we’ve got guys who can come in and exploit whatever the condition. Today was more suitable for the fast bowlers. We exploited those conditions pretty well.”
England captain, Jos Buttler said: It’s a really disappointing day and a tough loss to take. We must look at managing our batting better, especially not losing so many early wickets. But it’s not a time to panic or try to find too many faults. Batting has been our super-strength over the last five years or so.”
Brief scores: England: 110 all out in 25.2 overs (J Bumrah 6-19, M Shami 3-31) lt to India: 114-0 in 18.4 overs (R Sharma 76 n.o.)
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