Chasing 259, the visitors reached 262/4 with 28 balls to spare. Captain Shubman Gill laid the foundation with a fluent 80 before retiring hurt due to cramps, while Axar Patel produced a match-winning all-round performance. Washington Sundar remained unbeaten on 52 and sealed the contest with a six, helping India take a 1-0 lead in the series.

The result marked an important turnaround for India after suffering a 4-0 defeat in the preceding T20I series against England. It also gave the team a positive start to its preparations for the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, with senior players Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah returning to the ODI setup.

England, who won the toss and elected to bat first, appeared to be in control after reaching 61 without loss. However, India's bowlers triggered a dramatic collapse as the hosts slipped to 80/5. Axar Patel was the chief architect of the turnaround, claiming four wickets with his left-arm spin and putting England under sustained pressure through the middle overs.

Joe Root and Liam Dawson then staged a recovery with a valuable 121-run partnership. Root anchored the innings with 76 not out, while Dawson contributed 68 to lift England to a competitive total of 258. Despite the resistance, the hosts were bowled out in 47.5 overs, leaving India with a manageable target.

India's chase began cautiously, with Rohit Sharma departing for 11 before Virat Kohli was trapped lbw for five by Jofra Archer. The early setbacks, however, did little to unsettle the visitors as Gill played with authority, mixing elegant strokeplay with calculated aggression to keep the scoreboard moving.

Gill's innings ended prematurely when he retired hurt after battling cramps, but by then India had already established control of the chase. Axar Patel followed up his bowling heroics with a composed 57, sharing an unbroken 100-run partnership with Washington Sundar, who guided the innings to its conclusion with an unbeaten half-century. Their stand ensured there were no further hiccups as India crossed the finish line comfortably.

Axar was named Player of the Match for his all-round contribution. His figures with the ball and crucial knock under pressure proved decisive in India's victory and underlined his growing importance in the ODI format.

The match also witnessed the return of Jasprit Bumrah to ODI cricket after a lengthy absence. The fast bowler made an immediate impact by dismissing England captain Harry Brook and, in the process, became India's highest ODI wicket-taker in England, surpassing Ravindra Jadeja's previous record. He also completed the milestone of 150 ODI wickets during the match.

For England, the defeat extended concerns over their recent ODI form despite encouraging contributions from Root and Dawson. The hosts will now look to level the series when the teams meet in the second ODI at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.

India, meanwhile, will be encouraged by the balance shown in both departments. The return of experienced players, combined with impactful performances from Axar Patel, Shubman Gill and Washington Sundar, has given the visitors early momentum as they seek to clinch the series before the final ODI at Lord's.