Shubman Gill's captaincy reflects composure, says Saba Karim after Edgbaston ODI win
Synopsis
Shubman Gill scored 80, retired hurt with cramps, yet left India perfectly placed to win the Edgbaston ODI — and former keeper Saba Karim says that composure under pressure is exactly what defines his captaincy. With Axar Patel and Washington Sundar finishing the job with an unbeaten 102-run stand, India's bench depth looks as significant as its captain's calm.
Key Takeaways
India beat England by six wickets in the first ODI at Edgbaston on 15 July , chasing 259 with 28 balls to spare.
Shubman Gill scored 80 before retiring hurt with cramps, steadying the innings after India slipped to 44 for two .
An unbeaten 102-run partnership between Axar Patel (57*) and Washington Sundar (52*) sealed the chase.
Axar Patel also claimed four wickets with the ball, earning a match-defining all-round display.
Washington Sundar struck his maiden ODI half-century .
Former India keeper Saba Karim praised Gill's temperament and predicted further growth in his leadership.
Shubman Gill scored a composed 80 and led India to a six-wicket victory over England in the opening ODI at Edgbaston on 15 July, with former India wicketkeeper-batter Saba Karim lauding the young captain's temperament and growing authority over the side. India's chase of 259 was steered home with 28 balls to spare, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Gill steadies the chase after early blows
India found themselves in early trouble at 44 for two after the dismissals of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Gill anchored the innings, adding a century stand with Shreyas Iyer before being forced to retire hurt with cramps. His departure left the lower middle order with roughly 100 runs still to get, but the platform he had built proved decisive.
Axar and Sundar seal the contest
An unbeaten 102-run partnership between Axar Patel and Washington Sundar completed the chase without further alarm. Axar finished unbeaten on 57, having also claimed four wickets earlier in the match. Sundar struck his maiden ODI half-century, remaining unbeaten on 52, as the pair denied England any foothold in the closing stages.
What Saba Karim said
'He is a very composed player, and his captaincy reflects that. It was very important to seize the moment after losing two early wickets, which Shubman Gill did as captain. He has played innings like this many times before. Today, he faced some issues due to the injury, but overall, he put the team in a position to win the game, which they did,' Karim said.
Karim also pointed to the significance of the lower-order finish: 'It must have been satisfying for Shubman Gill that the lower middle order finished the match. At that stage, around 100 runs were still needed, and the team required a sensible partnership, which Axar Patel and Washington Sundar provided. The assurance is slowly growing.'
What to expect from Gill going forward
Karim expressed confidence that Gill's leadership will deepen with experience, particularly as his batting form continues to underpin the team's stability. 'I expect even more from Shubman Gill now, that he will continue to leave his mark as a captain. In terms of vision and team balance, I feel he will start asserting himself more, which should happen, given the way he is leading the side and the form he is in with the bat,' he added.
India head into the second ODI with momentum firmly behind them, buoyed by a comprehensive opening win and the emerging partnership between Gill's composed leadership and a deepening lower-order batting resource.
Point of View
However, is the lower-order finish. Axar Patel and Washington Sundar's unbeaten stand of 102 suggests India's batting depth in white-ball cricket is no longer just a talking point. If that resource holds across formats, Gill's captaincy era could be defined not by individual brilliance at the top but by a collective batting confidence that previous Indian sides occasionally lacked in overseas chases.
NationPress
15 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the first India vs England ODI at Edgbaston?
India won the first ODI by six wickets, successfully chasing 259 with 28 balls to spare. The victory gives India a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
How did Shubman Gill perform in the Edgbaston ODI?
Gill scored 80 before retiring hurt with cramps during India's chase. He steadied the innings after the early dismissals of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, adding a century stand with Shreyas Iyer to lay the platform for victory.
Who finished the chase for India after Gill retired hurt?
Axar Patel and Washington Sundar shared an unbeaten 102-run partnership to complete the chase. Axar remained unbeaten on 57 and had earlier taken four wickets, while Sundar hit his maiden ODI half-century with an unbeaten 52.
What did Saba Karim say about Shubman Gill's captaincy?
Saba Karim said Gill is 'a very composed player, and his captaincy reflects that,' adding that Gill put the team in a winning position despite his injury. Karim also predicted Gill would assert himself more in terms of vision and team balance as his experience grows.
What is the schedule for the remaining India vs England ODIs?
India lead the three-match ODI series 1-0 after the Edgbaston opener. The second and third ODIs are still to be played, with India heading into the next game with momentum firmly on their side.
