In the first ODI of the three-match series against England on February 6, 2025, Mohammad Shami made an impactful return to the 50-over format, just ahead of the Champions Trophy. Shami displayed his trademark control, precision, and discipline with the ball, signaling that he was back in top form. His performance on the slow Nagpur pitch was nothing short of impressive as he showcased sharp, accurate bowling that made it tough for England's batters to find their rhythm.
Shami started the match with a maiden over, setting the tone for the rest of his spell. Throughout his eight overs, he maintained consistent lengths and steady pace, making it difficult for the English batsmen to score freely. His disciplined bowling, along with the conditions of the pitch, saw him concede just 38 runs while creating numerous wicket-taking opportunities. Despite the challenges of bowling on a slower surface, Shami's sharp deliveries left England's top-order batsmen struggling to score fluently.
His moment of brilliance came when he dismissed Brydon Carse, taking his first ODI wicket in 445 days. Shami's delivery to Carse was a well-executed cross-seam delivery that crashed into the top of middle stump. Carse, attempting an aggressive slog across the line, misjudged the length of the delivery and found himself caught in the crease. It was a perfect example of Shami’s ability to extract bounce and create pressure.
Shami's fitness was never in doubt, having shown his match fitness in the T20I series against England, where he had taken three wickets in the final match. His performance in the ODI, following a strong domestic campaign, reaffirmed that he was fully prepared for the challenges ahead, including India's pursuit of the Champions Trophy. He is now just five wickets away from becoming the eighth Indian bowler to reach the 200-wicket milestone in ODIs, joining an elite group of pacers such as Kapil Dev, Zaheer Khan, and Jasprit Bumrah.
India’s Dominant Performance and England’s Struggles
While Shami’s efforts were crucial, India’s bowlers as a unit dominated England’s batting lineup in the first ODI. Thanks to strong performances from debutant pacer Harshit Rana and veteran spinner Ravindra Jadeja, India was able to bowl out England for a modest total of 248 runs.
Rana, who had an eventful start to his ODI career, ended with figures of 3/53. Although his first over went for 11 runs, he bounced back with a maiden before being smashed by Phil Salt for three sixes and two boundaries in his next over. However, his persistence paid off, and he contributed significantly to England's collapse. He claimed the important wickets of Ben Duckett and Harry Brook, with sharp fielding support from his teammates.
England had initially built a solid foundation, with Salt and Duckett adding 75 runs for the opening partnership. Salt contributed 43 runs, while Duckett made a valuable contribution. However, Salt's unfortunate run out due to a mix-up with Duckett was a turning point, and the wicket saw England's momentum slow.
England's middle order also struggled against the spin attack. Joe Root was trapped LBW by Ravindra Jadeja for just 19, while Buttler (50) and Jacob Bethell (50) tried to stabilize the innings with a 59-run stand. Buttler mistimed a sweep off Axar Patel and was dismissed, while Bethell’s gritty knock was cut short when he fell LBW to Jadeja.
The English tail offered some resistance, with Jofra Archer adding a quickfire 21, including a six and two fours off Hardik Pandya, which gave England a competitive total. However, despite Archer's efforts, England's total of 248 was still under par, and India's bowlers, led by Shami and Jadeja, kept the pressure on throughout the innings.
India’s Tight Grip on the Match
With a total of 248 to defend, India’s bowlers had already put their team in a strong position by limiting England's scoring opportunities. Shami’s disciplined bowling, combined with the spin magic of Jadeja and the fiery debut of Rana, ensured that England never got into a rhythm. As India heads into the next match of the series, Shami’s return to ODI cricket, alongside the overall bowling performance, has shown that the Indian team is ready for the challenges ahead, especially with the Champions Trophy on the horizon.
