India all-rounder Washington Sundar steered his side to a commanding six-wicket win over England in the opening ODI at Edgbaston, Birmingham on 15 July, finishing unbeaten on 52 and sharing an unbroken 102-run partnership with Axar Patel. The knock — his maiden ODI fifty — gave India a 1-0 lead in the three-match series and underlined a batting evolution that Sundar credits squarely to the influence of India head coach Gautam Gambhir and Gujarat Titans head coach Ashish Nehra.

The Innings That Made the Difference

Chasing a target that demanded composure rather than fireworks, Sundar walked in and did precisely what the situation required. His unbeaten 52, stitched together with Axar in an unbroken stand of 102 runs, took India over the line without further alarm. It was not merely a finishing act — it was a statement of intent from a cricketer who has spent years redefining his role at the highest level.

The win, India's first in this ODI leg of the England tour, came immediately after a T20I series, making the format switch an additional variable that Sundar handled without visible disruption.

What Gambhir and Nehra Told Him

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Sundar was candid about the mentorship that has shaped his batting. 'Gautibhai (Gautam Gambhir) always made me understand what exactly I could do with the bat, especially, and made me understand my game as well,' he said. 'And even Ashish Nehra in GT, he's always made sure, like he's helped me understand myself a lot more, be it as a person or as a cricketer on the whole.'

Sundar added: 'I'm honestly grateful for the fact that I've got such people around me who are actually helping me become a better cricketer every single day.' The all-rounder emphasised that preparation remains the foundation of his approach, saying he ensures he does it 'to the T' and is thankful that those around him have consistently backed his skill set.

The All-Rounder's Evolving Role

Sundar's batting journey has been anything but linear. He has opened in first-class cricket, batted in the middle order, and taken on finishing duties in white-ball formats — each role demanding a different mindset. Far from finding this unsettling, he described the variety as a privilege. 'Not many people get to play different roles. I get to sort of play those different roles and be in those different situations,' he told reporters.

Notably, the rapid rotation between formats in modern international cricket — T20Is followed directly by ODIs — leaves little room for technical recalibration. Sundar's answer to that challenge is a relentless focus on preparation: 'As much as I could prepare really well, I think I'll be ready when the situation arrives. That's the mindset.'

Series Outlook

With India 1-0 up and two matches remaining, Sundar will be expected to carry his form into the second ODI as the visitors seek to seal the series. His ability to contribute both with ball and bat makes him a pivotal figure in Gambhir's plans for the remainder of the tour. A series win in England would represent a significant early marker for this Indian ODI setup.