Twitter Reactions: Poor strike-rate takes center stage as England comprehensively beat India in first ODI

Normal Business resumed for England as they thrashed India by eight wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series. It was as clinical as it would get with Tammy Beaumont and Natalie Sciver leading the charge with an unbeaten 87 and 74 respectively. The target of 202 never bothered the duo as they put the Indian bowling attack to the sword by mixing caution with aggression.

It was the diminutive batter Beaumont who led the charge by attacking in the power play by hitting through the ground. She put Jhulan Goswami, Ekta Bisht, and Pooja Vastrakar off their lengths. When Bisht came into the attack, she used her feet well got to the pitch of the ball, and attacked from the word go. Although England lost Lauren Winfield-Hill and skipper Heather Knight, Beaumont was unperturbed.

She got good support from vice-captain Sciver, who ensured to put pressure constantly on the Indian bowlers. Sciver was not afraid to dominate in an unbroken 119 run-stand with Beaumont and ensured the match was completed in 34.5 overs, thereby ensuring a memorable 100th win for England at home.

Bowlers set it for England batters

That India’s batters could only manage 202 was down to some disciplined bowling from Katherine Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, Anya Shrubsole, and Kate Cross who shared eight wickets between them. Number one ranked T20I bowler Ecclestone was again miserly and was a wrecker in chief by picking three wickets and didn’t give an inch to India’s batters.

All eyes were explosive batter Shafali Verma, but she could manage only 15. India at one stage was 88 for four and they needed someone to step up. Ever so reliable Mithali stepped up and celebrated her 22 years in cricket with a gritty 71. She took her time and initially was slow to begin with. But once she got set, she looked to cash in on lose balls and enabled India to get past 200 eventually.

Team India’s poor strike rate with the willow was the main talking point on social media with Indian batters playing 181 dot balls in the first innings. Both teams will next square off in the second ODI on 30th June.

Here’s how Twitter reacted to India’s defeat