Talking points: A grand comeback for India and Axar

India registered a much-needed win after a series of losses. Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Shubman Gill starred in the run chase after fast bowlers reduced England to 80/5.

Change in format, change in fortunes

India had lost six straight matches across formats. The switch to ODIs, bringing in key players, finally delivered a win. Jasprit Bumrah looked sharp in his first 50-over game for India in nearly three years.

The Jacob Bethell experiment

Bethell failed as Ben Duckett's fifth opening partner since the Champions Trophy. He struggled against movement, took 13 balls to score, and was dismissed for a well-timed but poorly placed shot off Gurnoor Brar.

Liam Dawson arrives

The 36-year-old, after earning an ODI recall in Sri Lanka, rescued England from 80/5 with a composed fifty, outshining Joe Root during their century stand. He became the second oldest English cricketer to score a maiden ODI fifty.

Still England's Mr. Dependable

Joe Root scored his fourth successive fifty-plus in ODIs, anchoring the innings after early collapses. He was left stranded on the crease as Adil Rashid and Josh Tongue played reckless shots in the death overs.

Veterans fail

Rohit Sharma (4 off 15), Virat Kohli (lbw to Archer), and KL Rahul (1) managed just 17 runs between them, leaving India in trouble before Gill's injury.

Axar's all-round masterclass

Last playing an ODI in Sydney, Axar was recalled amid competition from Ravindra Jadeja and Harsh Dubey. He broke the Root-Dawson century stand, cleaned up the tail, and then scored an unbeaten fifty alongside Washington Sundar to guide India home. A four-wicket haul, an unbeaten half-century, and Player of the Match.