Team India all-rounder Axar Patel produced a match-defining spell with the ball in the first ODI against England at Edgbaston on Tuesday, July 14, helping restrict the hosts to 258 all out in 47.5 overs. After England looked set for a much bigger total following a strong recovery in the middle overs, Axar turned the game around with a superb four-wicket haul.
The left-arm spinner finished with career-best ODI figures of 4/62 from 9.5 overs. His biggest breakthrough came when he dismissed Liam Dawson for 68 off 83 deliveries, ending a crucial 121-run partnership with Joe Root for the seventh wicket. The stand had steadied England after they had slipped to 92/5, and Dawson’s dismissal shifted the momentum firmly in India’s favour.
Axar’s impact became even more significant after pacer Gurnoor Brar was forced off the field with an injury late in the innings. Entrusted with the responsibility of bowling the 48th over, the experienced all-rounder wrapped up the tail in clinical fashion. He first castled Adil Rashid before knocking over Josh Tongue to complete his four-wicket haul and bowl England out for 258.
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The performance marked a remarkable turnaround for Axar, who had endured a disappointing outing in the final T20I against England. In that match, he conceded 63 runs in his four-over spell without taking a wicket. His impressive response in the ODI highlighted his ability to bounce back under pressure and deliver when the team needed him most.
Fans were quick to applaud Axar’s performance on social media, with many praising both his temperament and captain Shubman Gill’s faith in him. One fan wrote, “Axar Patel wrapped up the English tail in no time. Players like him just need their captain’s backing, and Shubman Gill is doing that brilliantly.”
Another posted, “Axar Patel breaks the massive partnership and once again proves why he’s India’s golden arm in pressure situations.”
Axar Patel wrapped up the English tail in no time 🔥 2 wickets!
Players like him just need their captains hand on their back for that extra confidence.Shubman Gill is doing it brilliantly 👏
— Rafik (@Rafikxjw) July 14, 2026
Axar Patel bowled very well in the death overs; he saved 20-30 runs…🚨#indvseng
— Sandeep Singh🇮🇳🚩 (@sandeepal2050) July 14, 2026
Axar gets his 4th!!!! 4 wickets for axar patel
best figures for him in ODI @akshar2026— atharva (@that_atharva) July 14, 2026
What a day for Axar Patel! Absolute game-changer. 👏
— CricBharat (@DilPrabhat88) July 14, 2026
Axar Patel took four wicket haul in ODIs for the first time in his career 🔥
– Good to see him back, a vital player for 2027 World Cup at Number 7. pic.twitter.com/GHWRru1zzH
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 14, 2026
Several supporters also pointed out that Gurnoor Brar’s injury unexpectedly opened the door for Axar to finish the innings in style, with one fan describing it as “a blessing in disguise” for India.
The spell also saw Axar register his best-ever bowling figures in ODI cricket, surpassing his previous best of 3/24. His 4/62 is now the fourth-best bowling performance by an Indian spinner against England in ODI history, behind Kuldeep Yadav’s 6/25 at Nottingham in 2018, Ravindra Jadeja’s 4/28 at Cardiff in 2014, and Yuzvendra Chahal’s 4/47 at Lord’s in 2022.
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Additionally, Axar became only the second Indian spinner after Ravindra Jadeja to claim four wickets in the final 10 overs of an ODI innings, underlining his growing value as a dependable match-winner in white-ball cricket. India will now look to capitalize on the momentum as they chase 259 for victory in the series opener.
