England’s weakness against spin were ruthless exposed once more as Kuldeep Yadav tore through their lineup before Rohit Sharma’s blistering century took India to a thumping eight-wicket win in the first ODI.
Chasing 269 on a belter of a pitch, India got off to a good start. Shikhar Dhawan looked in his elements as he hit a flurry of boundaries to set the tone for the chase. He added 59 runs for the first wicket with Rohit Sharma before falling to Moeen Ali for 40.
The dismissal, however, did not allow England to claw their way back in the game as Rohit and Virat Kohli batted them out of the game. The duo added 167 runs for the second wicket to all but seal the hosts’ fate. Adil Rashid broke the stand by having Kohli stumped for 75. Prior to that, Rohit completed his century off just 82 balls.
Back to back centuries against England for @ImRo45! ?
It's the hitman's 18th in ODIs, his first in the format against England! Another outstanding innings ? #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/FLT6HcyPBo
— ICC (@ICC) July 12, 2018
Rohit and KL Rahul then shared an unbeaten stand of runs to take India home with utmost ease in the 41st over. Rohit remained unbeaten on 137 while Rahul was unbeaten on 9.
Earlier in the game, Kuldeep Yadav’s career-best ODI figures of 6 for 25 helped India skittle out England for a modest 268.
Virat Kohli’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss seemed to have backfired initially. Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy added 73 runs for the first wicket – to give the hosts a flying start.
However, the game turned on its head when Kuldeep came on to bowl. With England racing away to 71 for no loss after ten overs, Virat Kohli introduced Kuldeep in the attack and the move paid off.
On the second ball of his very first over, he sent back Roy to give India the much-needed breakthrough. The opener departed after scoring 38 including six fours. In his next over, Kuldeep firmly put India on top by sending back both Bairstow and Joe Root to leave England reeling at 82 for 3.
Eoin Morgan and Ben Stokes then took the score past the 100-run mark. However, the duo could not bail their team out of trouble as Yuzvendra Chahal dismissed Morgan to reduce England to 105 for 4.
Stokes and Jos Buttler then began the rescue work. The duo added 93 runs for the fifth wicket but the runs did not come at a rate the hosts would have liked. Kuldeep once again proved to be a thorn in the flesh as he broke the stand by dismissing Buttler. And along with it, he also ended England’s slim chances of posting a challenging total. Buttler departed after scoring 53 off 51.
Stokes was the next to fall soon after he completed his fifty off 102 balls. Kuldeep dismissed the allrounder to complete another five-wicket haul on the tour. The left-arm spinner was not done yet as he dismissed David Willey to finish his spell with stunning figures of 6 for 25. Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid then played handy knocks towards the end to help England put up a challenging total before they were all out.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the innings:
Can we have Australia back please …….
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 12, 2018
Fair to say @ECB_cricket have been the best side for a while but this will be a great series . @BCCI @imVkohli @ImRo45 in good touch. Gonna be one amazing World Cup next year in England.
— David Warner (@davidwarner31) July 12, 2018
Wah wah wah Rohit Sharma @ImRo45 class??
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) July 12, 2018
Having seen a recent world record @TrentBridge and played there many times. The white ball format can be daunting for bowlers, Kuldeep Yadav's figures against that England batting line up are unheard of. Great effort that! #ENGvIND
— Brendan Taylor (@BrendanTaylor86) July 12, 2018
If conditions are dry next summer I think we are watching the World champions in action today …… Your guess which team !???? #ENGvIND
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 12, 2018
Back to back International century for Rohit Sharma in England…
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) July 12, 2018
Most centuries in ODI cricket in last three years:
13 – Virat Kohli
11 – ROHIT SHARMA*
10 – David Warner #ENGvIND— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) July 12, 2018
Safe to say that Rohit is back in groove again after struggling to find his fluent touch for more than 6 months. #ENGvIND
— Shubh Aggarwal (@shubh_chintak) July 12, 2018
England in their last 3 completed ODI innings in Trent Bridge
444/3 vs Pakistan
481/6 vs Australia
268 all out vs IndiaConditions have been same in all three games. This stat clearly tells the potential in #TeamIndia's bowling attack.. #ENGvIND
— Shubh Aggarwal (@shubh_chintak) July 12, 2018
https://twitter.com/HitmanCricket/status/1017443537888014342
Great spell young man @imkuldeep18 outstanding bowling 6 for 25..More power to you ?? ??vs???????
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) July 12, 2018
What a high quality spin bowling spell from @imkuldeep18 . His top 5 best ODI performances have all come overseas. Katappa ne Baahubali ko kyun maara pata chal gaya, but how to play Kuldeep, England ko abhi nahi. Great effort #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/PJDDTWoeeI
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) July 12, 2018
6/25 from 10 overs without conceding a boundary on this small ground. Exceptional stuff from Kuldeep Yadav.#EngvInd
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) July 12, 2018
6-25 … @imkuldeep18 … !!!!! This lad is going to be a superstar in all formats … #ENGvIND
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 12, 2018
3 wkts in 11 Balls for @imkuldeep18 !!!! This chap is already causing chaos .. India must pick him for the Tests !!!! #ENGvIND
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 12, 2018
India have been brilliant, bowling and fielding. Kuldeep picks up 5 wickets. Given the utter inability of England batsmen to pick his wrist spin, he would be pencilled in number 2 in the Test squad, after Kohli
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) July 12, 2018
First 5 overs, Eng 26/0, scored 45/0 in the next 5 and 12/3 in the next 5.
Picking up wickets= Drying runs.
This formula never fails. Top spell on from Kuldeep Yadav#EngvInd— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) July 12, 2018
6 wickets for Kuldeep Yadav. In one game, he has dismissed some top batsmen born in South Africa, England and New Zealand. #EngvInd
— Shubh Aggarwal (@shubh_chintak) July 12, 2018
Kuldeep carrying on what Kachra did to England in Lagan. #ENGvIND
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) July 3, 2018
Even more than Kaul’s catch that gave Kuldeep Yadav his fifth, what amazed me was the restraint shown by Sony – holding back on the ads, showing replays and allowing us to see Stokes walk off. #EngvInd
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) July 12, 2018
Kuldeep Yadav against England…#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/0vkJDHj1EM
— Litesh Gawande (@liteshgawande) July 12, 2018
Kuldeep Yadav created some big records here in Nottingham.
– First Indian bowler to take 6 wickets vs England in England.
– Second chinaman bowler to take 5 or more wickets after Brad Hogg.— Sagar Ghuge (@Sagar_Ghuge) July 12, 2018
At this rate Ravichandran Ashwin has to continue with Dindigul Dragons.
— Alagappan Vijayakumar (@IndianMourinho) July 12, 2018
When Kuldeep Yadav is on the rampage, I don't see any reason why he must not be continued.. Go for the kill and try to wrap up England innings quickly! Why let Buttler & Stokes get settled against Hardik Pandya? Once they get their eye in, it would be tougher to dislodge them..
— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) July 12, 2018
It is a good day for wrist spin. Again.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) July 12, 2018
Raina ji bhi maiden over phenk rahe hain ??#INDvENG
— Arun Lol (@dhaikilokatweet) July 12, 2018
Root clueless against Kuldeep, India get their second wicket, balance restored to the game. If he continues to baffle England's top guns like this, I reckon Kuldeep will feature in the Test squad to be announced
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) July 12, 2018