1st ODI: Rana and Jadeja each take three wickets as India restricts England to 248

Nagpur, Feb 6 (NationPress) Debutant Harshit Rana and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja each took three wickets, helping India restrict England to a total of 248 runs in 47.4 overs during the first ODI of the three-match series at the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) stadium on Thursday.

After being hit hard for 26 runs in one over by Phil Salt in his debut match, Rana exhibited remarkable resilience, finishing with figures of 3-53. Meanwhile, Jadeja was outstanding, taking 3-26 as India displayed their bowling prowess at home, limiting England's score despite solid fifties from Jos Buttler (52) and Jacob Bethell (51).

England, sent in to bat first by skipper Buttler, started well but faltered in the middle overs, ultimately falling short of a competitive total. The Indian batters will be confident about chasing the target, especially with dew expected to complicate bowling conditions in the second innings on a pitch offering good pace and bounce.

Initially, England made a promising start, reaching 50 without loss in just 36 balls after Mohammed Shami bowled a maiden over to begin the match.

With Virat Kohli absent due to a sore right knee, India aimed to keep England's total low. However, Phil Salt had other plans, smashing Harshit Rana for 26 runs in his second over, including sixes and fours, showcasing his aggressive batting.

A crucial moment came when Salt was run out after a mix-up with Ben Duckett, leaving England at 75-1 in the ninth over. Rana, maintaining his composure and varying his pace effectively, bowled a double-wicket maiden, reducing England to 77-3.

Although Rana missed out on claiming Salt, he did take Duckett's wicket with a short ball that forced a mistimed shot, caught by Jaiswal. Just two balls later, he sent Harry Brook back to the pavilion for a duck with a well-directed bouncer that the batter glove-tipped to wicketkeeper K.L Rahul.

Senior batter Joe Root, returning to ODIs after impressive performances in Tests and T20s, added 34 runs with Buttler before Jadeja deceived him with a fast delivery that struck his pad. Root's review failed as the ball-tracker indicated it would have hit the stumps.

Buttler, meanwhile, reached his half-century off 58 balls, building a partnership of fifty with Bethell as England stood at 167-4 after 32 overs. He played a measured innings, primarily scoring singles and hitting a few boundaries.

India struck back by dismissing Buttler, as Axar Patel induced a top edge that was caught by Hardik Pandya at short fine-leg. Buttler finished his innings with 52 runs off 67 balls, helping England recover from a shaky start.

Rana then returned for his third wicket, dismissing Liam Livingstone with a well-placed delivery that induced an edge.

Both teams had a balanced first power-play, but India excelled in the second, taking four wickets for 129 runs. England found themselves at 183-6 in the 36th over, facing a challenging chase as Mohammed Shami claimed his first wicket, bowling out Brydon Carse.

Bethell completed his half-century but fell to Jadeja shortly after, while Jofra Archer showed aggression late in the innings, but England eventually collapsed for 248 in the 47.4 overs, setting India a chase they would likely embrace.

Brief scores:

England 248 all out in 47.4 overs (Jos Buttler 52, Jacob Bethell 51; Ravindra Jadeja 3-26, Harshit Rana 3-53) against India