Sundar and Patel’s unbeaten partnership steers India to six‑wicket victory

A crucial 102‑run stand between Washington Sundar and Akshar Patel proved to be the match‑defining moment in India's opening ODI against England. After a disciplined bowling effort that held the visitors to 258, India began its chase at a steady pace.

Patel, coming in at the crease, unleashed a flurry of boundaries, while Sundar complemented him with aggressive singles and a few boundaries of his own. Together they maintained a run‑rate that kept the pressure on England's bowlers and propelled India to the target with six wickets left.

Both batsmen displayed composure under pressure: Sundar faced 63 deliveries for 52 runs, and Patel scored 57 off 52 balls, each hitting crucial boundaries at moments when the required run‑rate spiked. Their partnership not only erased the deficit but also demoralised the English side, culminating in a 262‑run total that secured a six‑wicket win.

Reflecting on the innings, Sundar described the experience as “a perfect illustration of why all‑rounders are invaluable,” emphasizing that such flexibility allows teams to adapt seamlessly to varying match conditions.