Kuldeep Yadav's mesmerising six-wicket haul dismantled England's batting line-up, setting up a comprehensive eight-wicket win for India in the first one-day international at Trent Bridge. The left-arm wrist-spinner finished with figures of six for 25, his best in ODIs, as England were bowled out for 268 in 49.5 overs.
England captain Eoin Morgan acknowledged the challenge posed by Kuldeep, saying: 'When he does bowl well, he's very good. There's no getting around that. He exposes an area of our game we need to improve on but that is a healthy thing.' Kuldeep, who also took a five-wicket haul in the preceding T20 international, added: 'I am enjoying English conditions, they are perfect for any spinner who turns it. I didn't try anything new.'
India's chase was led by a sparkling 137 not out from Rohit Sharma, his second century in three innings, and a cool 75 from captain Virat Kohli. The pair shared a 167-run stand for the second wicket after the early loss of Shikhar Dhawan, guiding India to victory with 59 balls to spare.
England had started strongly, with Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow adding 71 runs in the powerplay. But Kuldeep's introduction in the 11th over changed the game, as he removed Roy, Joe Root, and Bairstow in quick succession. Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes then rebuilt with a 94-run partnership, but Kuldeep returned to dismiss Buttler and Stokes, finishing with the wickets of Root, Bairstow, Buttler, Stokes, and David Willey.
The win gives India a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, with the next game at Lord's on Saturday. Kuldeep's performance has also raised questions about his potential inclusion in the Test series that follows.
