First one-day international, Edgbaston

England 258 (47.5 overs): Root 76* (76), Dawson 68 (83); Axar 4-62

India 262-4 (45.2 overs): Shubman 80* (75), Axar 57* (52), Sundar 52* (63)

India won by six wickets, lead three-match series 1-0

Scorecard

Brendon McCullum’s reduced role as England’s white-ball coach began with a reminder of how much work there is to do on a one-day team beaten by India.

Two days after McCullum was sacked as Test coach, England were outplayed to lose by six wickets at Edgbaston in the opening match of a three-game series.

England had outclassed the tourists to win the T20 series 4-0, but this was a different India side, boosted by the inclusion of superstars Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Shubman Gill.

It was Gill who made the main contribution in the chase of a meagre 259.

The captain was batting serenely on 80 until he retired with what appeared to be a hamstring injury, though he later clarified it was just cramp and he expects to be fit for Thursday’s second game in Cardiff.

From 149-2, India quickly found themselves 160-4 and England had a chance. But Axar Patel, who earlier took 4-62 with the ball, made an unbeaten 57 and Washington Sundar 52 not out to ease to victory.

That England had something to defend was a recovery from 107-6, including a collapse of three wickets for three runs in six balls.

The game was at risk of not stretching deep into the afternoon, only for a stand of 111 between Joe Root and Liam Dawson.

Dawson’s 68 was his highest score for England in any format, while Root was typically classy for his unbeaten 76.

Root was left stranded when England lost their last four wickets for 30 runs, leaving India a target that was never likely to be enough.

In theory, McCullum is England’s white-ball coach until his contract expires at the end of the 50-over World Cup in southern Africa in the autumn of 2027.

For the good work done in making the T20 team the world number ones, this was a familiar defeat for the one-day side, highlighting the task required to make them contenders in 19 months’ time.

There is still the question of automatic qualification for the World Cup. England are eighth in the world rankings and need to remain in the top nine. The form of West Indies, in 10th, suggests McCullum’s men will squeeze in without having to go through a qualifying tournament.

Even including a creditable series win in Sri Lanka in January, this was England’s 14th defeat in 20 ODIs.

On this occasion, on a pitch that offered something for the seamers, England looked a pace bowler light. Their all-rounders were also outperformed by their Indian counterparts.

By the end, it was a stroll for the tourists, much to the delight of a noisy and partisan crowd in Birmingham.

India, the reigning world champions, were awful in the T20s, yet were always going to be a different proposition given the star power in this ODI XI.

Bumrah’s opening spell sent a frisson of excitement around Edgbaston, while 37-year-old Kohli, probably playing his last series in England, was a livewire in the covers.

At 39, Rohit is another playing in this country for the last time. As the chase began, Rohit made 11 before chipping Sam Curran to mid-on and, in the next over, Kohli was palpably lbw to Jofra Archer for five.

Gill is at home on this ground – he made 430 in a single Test here last year. A stand of 101 with Shreyas Iyer put the match in India’s grasp, with Gill playing beautiful drives.

Gill had just pulled Josh Tongue for four when cramp struck. He left the field, followed by Iyer, run out by Harry Brook’s direct hit, and KL Rahul, who chopped on off Tongue.

India were 99 adrift, four wickets down and with a doubt over Gill. Axar and Sundar were not fazed. Axar played the aggressor, Sundar the anchor, and the win was sealed with 28 balls to spare.

There is a reasonable argument to suggest Dawson’s presence gave England too many spinners in their XI.

If Jamie Overton had been fit, he may not have played. Without him, England would have been hammered.

Their initial collapse, from 61-0 to 64-3, then 107-6, was woeful. Ben Duckett made 43, though Jacob Bethell looked out of sorts in his new role as opener. Jos Buttler, becoming the second man to reach 200 caps for England, made five.

Bumrah was superb, much better than figures of 1-31 suggest. His one wicket was crucial – Brook guiding to slip.

Dawson, England’s number eight, joined Root in the 22nd over and immediately brought a calmness to the situation. He showed solid defence and took more of the strike than Root.

The 83 deliveries Dawson faced were more than his previous nine-match ODI career put together.

Root was dropped on seven, then was magnificent. Since the beginning of 2025, he averages 70 in this format. Perhaps England could have pushed towards 290, but Axar induced Dawson into a pull to deep square, then the left-arm spinner mopped up the tail.

Adil Rashid, Archer, and Tongue fell in the space of six Axar deliveries, Root ran out of partners and England were bowled out for the 11th time in their last 19 ODIs.