India's middle order batter Shreyas Iyer had to cut short a movie night and turn in earlier than planned on Wednesday but a match-defining half-century against England the next day made it all worthwhile.

India rode on Shubman Gill's 87, Shreyas Iyer's 59 and 52 from Axar Patel to win the first game by four wickets. Chasing England's 248, India romped home in 38.4 overs.

Debutant Harshit Rana has grabbed three wickets and vice-captain Shubman Gill has hit 87 runs off 96 balls for India to beat England by four wickets in the first one-day international in Nagpur.

Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel smashed half-centuries as India defeated England by four wickets in the opening one-day international on Thursday and took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series that is a warmup for the Champions Trophy.

Star India batter Shreyas Iyer walked in when India were shaken twice early to slip to 19/2 chasing 249, but produced a brilliant counter-attack smacking two sixes and nine boundaries to make 59 off 36 deliveries,

India middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer has revealed a "funny story" regarding his selection in the playing XI for the the first ODI against England in Nagpur, which India won by four wickets and 68 balls remaing to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel smashed half-centuries as India defeated England by four wickets in the opening one-day international on Thursday and took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series that is a warmup for the Champions Trophy.