India skipper Shubman Gill commended the middle order for guiding the team to a six-wicket win over England in the first ODI at Edgbaston on Tuesday (July 14), saying this performance gives confidence to both the batting unit and the leadership group.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Gill explained that India's experienced batting line-up meant they had no issues in being asked to bowl first by the hosts.
"When you see your middle order, lower middle order score runs like that and finish off the job for the team, you get a lot of confidence as a captain and as a top order batsman," Gill said.
"It was more about our combination. We have a youngish bowling attack, so our batting is still a bit more experienced than our bowling. We wanted to bowl first... even if there's a target of 320, we back the kind of batting order that we have," he added.
Gill praised India’s bowling in the middle overs, calling it the most satisfying aspect of the victory. “I think how we bowled in the middle overs was very pleasing. We bowled brilliantly well in the first six or seven overs. The ball was doing a bit, and we bowled the right areas. They got away a little at the end of the powerplay, but the way we bounced back and took those five wickets was very important,” he stated.
The captain emphasized that the primary goal of experimenting combinations in the ongoing series is to solidify the squad foundation well ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
"We are really trying different combinations to see which kind of combination gives us the best depth in bowling and batting, in both departments," Gill said.
He further noted that the English conditions provided a valuable opportunity to prepare for the quadrennial event in South Africa.
“I think the wicket and the conditions were a bit similar to South Africa. It wasn’t easy for the batsmen with the new ball as it was doing a bit, but the wicket settled in nicely. If we can test different combinations on these kinds of wickets, it would be great for us,” Gill remarked.
Coming to the match, the hosts were bowled out for 258 runs in 47.5 overs after opting to bat first. Joe Root anchored the England innings with an unbeaten 76, sharing a crucial 121-run partnership with Liam Dawson (68).
India's pace trio of Gurnoor Brar (2-62), Jasprit Bumrah (1-31) and Prasidh Krishna (2-50) dismantled the English top and middle order, while spin all-rounder Axar Patel wrapped up the tail to finish with figures of 4 for 62.
India's chase got off to a rocky start with veteran batters Rohit Sharma (11) and Virat Kohli (5) departing early in the powerplay. Gill anchored the innings beautifully with an elegant 80 off 75 balls. He put together a 101-run stand with Shreyas Iyer (35) before being forced to retire hurt due to severe cramps.
A quick double-blow saw Iyer run out and KL Rahul bowled shortly after, leaving India wobbling slightly at 160/4. However, any hopes of an England comeback were decisively shut down by Axar (57*) and Washington Sundar (52). The duo weathered a hostile fast-bowling spell from Jofra Archer before taking apart England's spinners in an unbroken 102-run partnership to take the tourists over the line in 45.2 overs.
