Axar Patel’s Career-Best Four-For Restricts England to 258 Despite Root-Dawson Rescue Act

Birmingham, July 2026 : All-rounder Axar Patel produced a career-best bowling performance in One-Day Internationals, claiming 4 for 62, as India bowled out England for 258 in 47.5 overs in the opening ODI at Edgbaston on Tuesday. Despite a spirited rescue act from Joe Root and Liam Dawson, India’s disciplined bowling attack ensured England could not fully capitalise after recovering from a dramatic middle-order collapse.

England looked comfortable early in the innings after captain Harry Brook elected to bat first. Openers Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell negotiated the new ball confidently, adding 61 runs for the opening wicket. Duckett played fluently for his 43 off 45 balls, while Bethell contributed a patient 14 off 31 deliveries. The pair handled the opening spell from Jasprit Bumrah, who was making his return to ODI cricket after 968 days, with composure.

The turning point came when debutant Gurnoor Brar switched ends after an expensive opening spell. The young pacer struck twice in the 13th over, dismissing both Duckett and Bethell to break England’s solid start. His double strike opened the door for India, and the visitors seized the momentum immediately.

Bumrah then reminded everyone of his class by removing England skipper Harry Brook for just one run, with a sharp edge brilliantly taken at first slip. Soon after, Prasidh Krishna ripped through the middle order, claiming two crucial wickets in quick succession. Veteran wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler, playing his landmark 200th ODI, endured a forgettable outing as he departed cheaply. Sam Curran followed soon after, gifting his wicket with an ill-judged shot as England slumped to 80 for 5.

With wickets tumbling rapidly, Will Jacks attempted to counterattack, scoring 20 off 19 balls, but his innings ended when Shivam Dube claimed his second ODI wicket. Wicketkeeper KL Rahul produced a spectacular one-handed catch behind the stumps to send Jacks back and deepen England’s troubles.

Facing the prospect of a modest total, England found unlikely heroes in Joe Root and Liam Dawson. The experienced duo stitched together a magnificent 121-run partnership for the seventh wicket, reviving the innings with sensible batting and excellent strike rotation. Root anchored the innings with his trademark composure, while Dawson played one of the finest knocks of his ODI career.

Dawson reached his maiden ODI half-century and eventually scored a superb 68 off 83 balls, showing remarkable temperament under pressure. At the other end, Root continued his rich vein of form, registering his fourth consecutive fifty-plus score in One-Day Internationals. Their partnership transformed England’s position and gave the hosts hope of posting a challenging total.

India finally broke the stand in the 44th over when Axar Patel dismissed Dawson, ending the resilient partnership that had rescued England from a precarious position. Axar continued to trouble the lower order with his accurate left-arm spin, finishing with career-best figures of 4 for 62.

Root, meanwhile, enjoyed a slice of luck when Shivam Dube dropped a straightforward return catch off his own bowling. The experienced batter made the most of the reprieve, remaining unbeaten on 76 from 76 deliveries and guiding England beyond the 250-run mark.

In the closing overs, Jofra Archer added valuable late runs with a quickfire 12 off six balls, but India’s bowlers wrapped up the innings efficiently. Adil Rashid and ODI debutant Josh Tongue were both dismissed in the 48th over, leaving Root stranded at the non-striker’s end as England were bowled out for 258.

India will now look to make the most of the conditions with the bat as they chase 259 for victory in the series opener. While England recovered admirably through Root and Dawson after their collapse, Axar Patel’s outstanding spell and timely breakthroughs from the Indian pace attack ensured the visitors retained the upper hand heading into the run chase.

Brief Scores:
England: 258 all out in 47.5 overs (Joe Root 76*, Liam Dawson 68; Axar Patel 4/62, Prasidh Krishna 2/50).