Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel smashed half-centuries as India defeated England by four wickets in the opening one-day international on Thursday and took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series that is a warmup for the Champions Trophy.

The innings only came about due to the absence of Virat Kohli, with the former skipper nursing a sore knee and rested from the contest and Iyer included at the last minute after receiving a phone call from captain Rohit Sharma.

England batsman Joe Root will make his first ODI appearance since 2023 after being named in the team to face India in the opening match of the series in Nagpur on Thursday.

Rohit Sharma was asked about the goal for the upcoming Champions Trophy after India's four-wicket win over England in first ODI

India skipper Rohit Sharma on Thursday heaped praise on Shubman Gill and Axar Patel's partnership following the Men in Blue's triumph over England in the first ODI match of the series.Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer's mouthwatering fifties helped India to clinch a four-wicket triumph over England in the first ODI match of the series at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur on

Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel smashed half-centuries as India defeated England by four wickets in the opening one-day international on Thursday and took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series that is a warmup for the Champions Trophy.

Fans showed no mercy to Rohit Sharma, who endured yet another failure in the 1st India vs England ODI at Nagpur.

Nagpur: India skipper Rohit Sharma on Wednesday insisted his recent Test struggles were just part of the “ups and downs” of a long career as he looks to rediscover his form in three One-Day Internationals against England.