England collapse after blistering start as India claim ODI victory

England were unable to capitalise on a rampaging opening stand from Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy as India claimed a 66-run victory in the first of three one-day internationals at Pune.

Set 318 to win, England’s vaunted openers flew out of the traps, putting on an extraordinary 135 in 14.2 overs, but Roy’s dismissal opened the floodgates and, despite Bairstow’s belligerent 94, the tourists subsided.

Prasidh Krishna had been overwhelmed early on on debut, but he recovered to finish with 4-54 as England were bundled out for 251 after a late surge from KL Rahul and Krunal Pandya had helped India to 317-5.

Eoin Morgan required four stitches on his hand, while Sam Billings sprained his collar bone joint after an awkward fall and, although they were able to bat, the pair were off the field in the closing stages of India’s innings.

The absence of Morgan’s calming influence was a particular blow as Rahul and Krunal, making his ODI bow, brutalised England’s bowlers in an unbroken 112-run stand.

Shikhar Dhawan (98) and Virat Kohli (56) ultimately laid the foundations for Rahul (62 not out) and K run al (58 no ), who embraced his brother Hardik at the end of his knock.

Kohli upped the ante upon his arrival, combining drives with quick singles in a typically-fluid run-a-ball 50.

Dhawan took the cue from his captain, launching Adil Rashid over midwicket to reach his 50 before dispatching Moeen Ali over the ropes.

Moeen atoned for his drop, holding on after Kohli had flicked Wood to deep midwicket. Dhawan fell amid the wobble, two runs short of his ton. Rahul and Krunal added 112 from the last 57 balls. It was a boundary-laden partnership, with Ra hull et hal, while K run al hit 50 off just 26 balls.

But, if that was impressive, then B air stow and Roy went up another gear at the beginning of England’s reply as Bairstow went into overdrive to take the lead in an incredible 135-run stand in less than 15 overs.

There would have been a sigh of relief in the home camp as Roy miscued to point for 46, while Stokes’ move up the order backfired to give Krishna two wickets in two overs. Wickets continued to tumble as B air stow fell short of his 100.

Thakur further swung the pendulum India’ s way as Morgan (22) and Jos Buttler (2) both fell. England had lurched from 135 without loss to 176-5 and it was ultimately a position they were unable to recover from.