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Shubman Gill overcame cramps to make 87 as India defeated England by 4 wickets in the first ODI.
India vs England: Shubman Gill starred with the bat in the 1st ODI (AP)
Sanjay Manjrekar took to social media to praise Shubman Gill for his match-winning knock in India’s 4-wicket win over England in the first one-day international at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur on Thursday.
He posted: “We had a term in the team ‘Lambi race ka Ghoda’ for certain players. Meaning someone who will be around for a long time in Indian cricket. That’s what Shubman Gill is!”
We had a term in the team ‘Lambi race ka Ghoda’ for certain players. Meaning someone who will be around for a long time in Indian cricket. That’s what Shubman Gill is! 🙌🙌— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) February 6, 2025
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Gill, Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel smashed half-centuries as India took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series that is a warmup for the Champions Trophy.
Chasing 249 for victory after Jos Buttler had scored 52 and Jacob Bethell contributed 51 to boost England’s total following a wobble midway through the innings, India reached their target with 68 balls to spare.
Gill overcame cramp to make 87 and take India close to the finish line on a two-paced, turning wicket at Nagpur’s Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium after Patel scored 52 in a 108-run stand for the fourth wicket.
Yashasvi Jaiswal came into the eleven after Virat Kohli was ruled out due to a sore right knee but was out for 15 following a probing early spell by Jofra Archer while out-of-form captain Rohit Sharma fell for two to Saqib Mahmood.
Iyer blasted two consecutive sixes off Archer in the seventh over en route to an entertaining fifty and after he departed for 59, Gill played a controlled knock with exquisite shots on both sides but holed out to Mahmood while looking to accelerate.
Ravindra Jadeja (12 not out) and Hardik Pandya (nine not out) then took the hosts home.
The second ODI takes place in Cuttack on Sunday before the finale in Ahmedabad on February 12. It will be followed by the eight-team Champions Trophy beginning February 19 in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.
(With inputs from Agencies)
