Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth has pointed out an error despite India’s comprehensive six-wicket win against England in the first ODI at Edgbaston, Birmingham on Tuesday. Srikkanth questioned Shubman Gill’s captaincy after India took a 1-0 lead in the series.

India had England on the ropes at 107-6 after 21.4 overs and Srikkanth said Gill should have given the ball to Washington Sundar against Liam Dawson, who might have tried to play a big shot.  The former opener reckons Gill could have also got back Jasprit Bumrah into the attack when Dawson and Root were going strong. However, India continued bowling with other medium pacers.

England went on to post a fighting score of 258 runs on the board after Dawson and veteran batter Joe Root added 121 runs off 134 balls.

Kris Srikkanth said on his YouTube Channel, “When England were 107/6, I would have bowled Washington Sundar throughout. Dawson might have tried to be aggressive against him and got out. He eventually got out like that, trying to attack. But India went into safety mode and kept bowling the medium pacers. That was an error.

“They could have immediately brought Bumrah back on at that time. They would have got bowled out instantly as only one more wicket was needed. India definitely missed a trick as England shouldn’t have got more than 175 from 107/6.”

Meanwhile, Washington Sundar returned with figures of 0-13 in four overs he bowled and the 1983 World Cup-winning player added that the off-spinner should have bowled more.

“Sundar should have bowled more. He was bowling brilliantly today. Had he bowled more, he would have dismissed Dawson. They needed to flight more to Dawson. He would have hit a couple of sixes but got out in the third delivery. It should have been spin at one end and medium pace at the other to Dawson,” said Srikkanth (via the aforementioned source).

Srikkanth praised Axar Patel and Washington Sundar for scoring 57 and 52 runs, respectively in the run chase of 259 after India were in a precarious situation.

He concluded, “After Gill walked out, India was in a precarious situation. India were finished if they lost another two wickets. But these two applied themselves and played brilliantly. Fortunately, India were chasing only 250-odd. They would have struggled if the target was 300 to 320.”

The second ODI between India and England will be played at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, on Thursday.