In the first ODI of the three-match series between India and England, debutant Harshit Rana made a name for himself by picking up three crucial wickets. Despite a strong start from England's openers, Rana was able to make a comeback and dismiss two key batsmen in the same over. However, a solid batting performance from Joe Root and Jos Buttler helped England put up a decent score of 248 runs. But with Rana's impressive bowling, India has a strong chance at chasing down the target and securing their fifth win in the series.
Debutant Harshit Rana Shines as India Targets Series Win
In the ongoing three-match ODI series between India and England, debutant bowler Harshit Rana has made an immediate impact. In the first ODI, he claimed three crucial wickets to help India fight back against England's strong start.
Rana's Performance
Rana, who made his ODI debut for India at the age of 28, was introduced into the attack after India's openers had conceded 75 runs in the first 10 overs. He responded with a superb spell, dismissing Jason Roy and Ollie Pope in the same over to put England on the back foot.
Rana then returned to claim the wicket of Ben Stokes in his next over, leaving England reeling at 112/4. His performance was even more impressive considering that England's openers, Roy and Jonny Bairstow, had put on a century partnership.
England's Recovery
Despite Rana's early strikes, England recovered thanks to solid performances from Joe Root and Jos Buttler. Root scored a half-century, while Buttler played a match-winning innings of 94 not out. Their partnership of 129 runs helped England reach a respectable total of 248 runs.
India's Chance
With a target of 249 runs, India has a strong chance of chasing down the total and securing their fifth win in the series. They will need their top-order batsmen to fire, but the presence of experienced players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will give them confidence.
Top 5 FAQs
Q: Who is Harshit Rana?
Q: How did Rana perform in his debut ODI?
Q: Who were England's top performers in the match?
Q: What is the current score in the match?
Q: What is the series record between India and England?
The Indian cricket team faces a tough decision in choosing a wicketkeeper for the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan. Former India coach and commentator Sanjay Bangar has weighed in on the debate and chosen KL Rahul as the first-choice wicketkeeper over Rishabh Pant. Bangar credits Rahul's performance both as a batsman and wicketkeeper in the 2023 World Cup for his pick. Rahul, who has played 77 ODI matches, has an impressive record of 2851 runs at an average of 49.15 whereas Pant has struggled in the format, with an average of 33.50 in 31 games.
After dominating the soccer world for nearly two decades, renowned Brazilian left-back, Marcelo, has hung up his boots at the age of 36. In a heartfelt video, he thanked his fans and teammates, stating that although his journey as a player has come to an end, his love and dedication for the sport will continue to thrive. This news has left the football community in shock as they look back at the countless achievements of one of the sport's most celebrated players.
Former Real Madrid player Marcelo has announced his retirement from professional football after a tumultuous spell at Brazilian club Fluminense. The 36-year-old left back, who is best known for his time at Real Madrid, had a brief stint at Greek side Olympiacos before returning to Fluminense where he won the Copa Libertadores with them. However, his contract was terminated last year after a public disagreement with his coach during a match where he was not brought on as a substitute.
In the first ODI between India and England, Rohit Sharma's poor form continued as he was dismissed for just 2 runs. With questions surrounding his future as captain and key player, Sharma failed to deliver and was out off a tame shot. Meanwhile, debutant Harshit Rana and Ravindra Jadeja starred with the ball as India restricted England to a manageable total despite fifties from Jos Buttler and Jacob Bethell. The Indian batsmen will now look to take advantage of the dew factor and chase down the target with ease.
In a press conference ahead of India's ODI against England, vice-captain Shubman Gill defended the team's performance in the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy, stating that one series does not define their legacy. Despite the 1-3 loss to Australia, Gill highlighted India's past achievements, including their back-to-back Test series wins in Australia and their 2023 ODI World Cup final appearance. He also addressed India's struggle in the Test series against Australia and the ODI whitewash against New Zealand, emphasizing the team's pedigree and healthy competition for top-order spots.
Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting, who has been appointed as the new head coach of Punjab Kings for the 2025 season, has revealed his careful selection process for the team at the mega auction. He identified Shreyas Iyer, Arshdeep Singh, and Yuzvendra Chahal as key players for PBKS's maiden title chase and ensured their retention through strategic bidding. However, he also emphasized on building a strong foundation of Indian talent rather than splurging on expensive overseas players.
Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has become the most successful left-arm bowler for India, achieving the remarkable feat of 600 international wickets in 411 innings. His dominance against top batters like Joe Root and Steven Smith only adds to his legacy as one of India's finest cricketers. With this milestone, Jadeja solidifies his position at the top of the list of left-arm bowlers for India.
In the recently-concluded T20I series between India and England, young batter Harry Brook underperformed, scoring only 91 runs in five innings. Former England skipper Michael Vaughan pointed out Brook's reckless approach against spin as the reason for his poor performance. Vaughan urged Brook to follow the footsteps of England great Joe Root and adopt a more strategic and patient approach while facing spin in subcontinent conditions. With the first ODI of the three-match series approaching, England will be looking to improve their performance before the upcoming Champions Trophy.
ASK and BLAST express concern and demand legal action after two incidents of attacks on women's football matches in Joypurhat and Dinajpur. The attacks, carried out by students of nearby madrasas, led to the matches being called off. The organizations condemn the attacks and call them a violation of the country's laws. One match was scheduled to be held at a high school ground in Joypurhat, while the other was in Hakimpur, Dinajpur. The playgrounds were vandalized, creating a tense situation.