Joe Root and Liam Dawson [Source: AFP]
England looked in deep trouble after suffering a dramatic batting collapse against India in the first ODI at Birmingham on Tuesday, July 14. After opting to bat first, the hosts lost wickets at regular intervals and were staring at a below-par total.
With England in a difficult position, Joe Root and Root Dawson showed immense composure. Notably, not only Joe Root and Liam Dawson came to England’s rescue with a sensational partnership that not only revived the innings but also etched their names into the record books.
Joe Root and Liam Dawson Rewrite England’s Record Books
The standout partnership between Joe Root and Liam Dawson turned into a historic one as the duo registered the highest seventh-wicket partnership for England against India in ODIs.
Their 121-run stand surpassed the previous record of 105 runs set by Paul Collingwood and Geraint Jones in Margao back in 2006, ending a 20-year-old record.
Highest Seventh-Wicket Partnerships for England vs India in ODIs
- 121 – Liam Dawson & Joe Root, Birmingham, 2026
- 105 – Paul Collingwood & Geraint Jones, Margao, 2006
- 92 – Ashley Giles & Michael Vaughan, Lord's, 2004
Their effort also became the highest seventh-wicket partnership for England against India in home ODI matches, comfortably eclipsing the previous best of 92 by Ashley Giles and Michael Vaughan at Lord's in 2004.
Dawson's excellent innings came to an end after scoring a valuable 68, but by then he had already played a massive role in taking England out of a difficult situation. Root, meanwhile, continued to anchor the innings from one end.
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The record-breaking stand also secured a place among the best seventh-wicket partnerships ever recorded against India in ODI cricket. Root and Dawson's 121-run partnership is now the fourth-highest for the seventh wicket against India.
Highest Seventh-Wicket Partnerships vs India in ODIs
- 162 – Michael Bracewell & Mitchell Santner (New Zealand), Hyderabad, 2023
- 148 – Mahmudullah & Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Bangladesh), Mirpur, 2022
- 126* – Upul Chandana & Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka), Dambulla, 2005
- 121 – Liam Dawson & Joe Root (England), Birmingham, 2026
England Eye Competitive Total
Talking about the match, England's innings never got going in the early stages as India's bowlers dominated with the new ball. Gurnoor Brar struck twice to remove Jacob Bethell for 14 and Ben Duckett for 43, putting the hosts under pressure.
Harry Brook managed just one run before departing cheaply, while captain Jos Buttler struggled for rhythm and was dismissed for five off 14 deliveries. Prasidh Krishna then removed Sam Curran for a duck, and Shivam Dube accounted for Will Jacks for 20, leaving England reeling.
However, Joe Root and Dawson completely changed the complexion of the innings. Their calm approach frustrated the Indian bowlers and gave England a platform to push towards a respectable total.
By the time Liam Dawson departed for 68, England had recovered to 228/7, with Joe Root still at the crease looking set to guide the hosts beyond the 250-run mark.
Also Read: Drama At Edgbaston! Gurnoor Brar Viciously Attacks Ben Duckett With A Deadly Throw


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