BIRMINGHAM: Shubman Gill continued his love affair with the Edgbaston cricket ground as the Indian captain’s graceful 80 lay the foundation for a walk-in-the park six-wicket victory over England in the first ODI here on Tuesday.

India, now, have taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. 

Axar Patel, much panned for his recent low returns in T20Is, played the perfect support cast with a superb all-round show of 4/62 and an unbeaten 57 off 52 balls in what could have otherwise been a tricky chase.

BELFAST: Immaculate Ireland bowlers gnawed on Indian batters’ impatience on a rather pacy pitch with exemplary lengths, etching a historic 34-run victory in the first T20I match here on Friday. 

It was Ireland’s first-ever victory over reigning T20 world champions India in any format, and the hosts have now taken a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

Chasing 183 on a pitch that had enough assistance for quick bowlers was not improbable but needed a different, pragmatic approach after power play.

Rishabh Pant is poised to reunite with Delhi Capitals ahead of the 2027 Indian Premier League season, with sources confirming that Lucknow Super Giants are preparing to release their former captain as part of a high-profile trade deal. The move will see Pant take a significant pay cut after becoming the most expensive player in IPL history just two years ago.

Trade Deal Nears Completion

Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals are in the final stages of completing a trade that will bring Pant back to the franchise where he spent the majority of his IPL career.

The wicketkeeper-batter is expected to join Delhi Capitals in a deal worth approximately Rs 15 crore (USD 1.5 million). The transaction would represent a salary reduction of Rs 12 crore from the Rs 27 crore contract he received after being purchased by LSG during the IPL 2025 mega auction.

The trade remains subject to approval from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), with both franchises currently finalising the required formalities.

Pant Follows Jadeja in Taking Major Pay Cut

Pant is set to become the second marquee IPL player to accept a substantial salary reduction as part of a franchise trade.

Earlier, Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals completed a major player swap involving Ravindra Jadeja and Sanju Samson ahead of IPL 2026, with both franchises adjusting player valuations within the trade arrangement.

The latest move highlights the growing flexibility among franchises in reshaping their squads through player exchanges rather than relying solely on auction dynamics.

Disappointing LSG Stint Ends After Two Seasons

Pant’s tenure with Lucknow Super Giants lasted two seasons and failed to deliver the results the franchise had hoped for after investing a record sum in the star batter.

As captain, he led the side in 28 matches, securing 10 victories while suffering 18 defeats. With the bat, Pant scored 581 runs at an average of 26.4 and a strike rate of 135.74 during his time with the franchise.

Following LSG’s disappointing IPL 2026 campaign, Pant stepped down as captain after the team finished at the bottom of the standings with just four wins in 14 matches.

Before joining Lucknow, Pant had captained Delhi Capitals for four seasons and was one of the franchise’s most recognisable faces. His anticipated return marks a significant homecoming for both the player and the Delhi-based franchise as they look to rebuild for IPL 2027.