![Four-Star DB Za’Kari Johnson Commits to Florida State</TITLE]Apr 20, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles helmet during the Spring Showcase at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images With the upcoming season approaching in less than two months, the Florida State football program received a significant boost Tuesday night. Four-star recruit Za’Kari Johnson has officially committed to the Seminoles, choosing Florida State over other finalists including Miami, Auburn, Syracuse, and Georgia Tech. A standout at Miami (Fla.) Carol City High School, Johnson recently reclassified from the 2028 recruiting class to the 2027 class. According to 247Sports’ composite rankings, he is ranked as the No. 349 overall prospect, the No. 21 athlete, and the No. 31 player in the state of Florida for the 2027 cycle. While there has been discussion regarding his ideal position at the collegiate level, Johnson’s versatility was on display last season at Plantation (Fla.) High School, where he played both quarterback and defensive back before transferring. Johnson informed 247Sports that the coaching staff intends to utilize him primarily in the secondary. Johnson joins as Florida State’s 14th commitment in the 2027 class, marking the program’s fourth four-star addition for the cycle. The Seminoles’ 2027 recruiting class is currently ranked 53rd by 247Sports. This recruitment comes during a challenging period for the program. Following a perfect 13-0 season that ended in a College Football Playoff absence, Florida State has struggled to a 7-17 record over the last two years. As Mike Norvell enters his seventh season, the program continues to work toward regaining its previous momentum.](https://i3.wp.com/images.deadspin.com/tr:w-1200,h-675,fo-auto/23074740.jpg?w=1024&resize=1024,1024&ssl=1 "Four-Star DB Za’Kari Johnson Commits to Florida State</TITLE]Apr 20, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles helmet during the Spring Showcase at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images With the upcoming season approaching in less than two months, the Florida State football program received a significant boost Tuesday night. Four-star recruit Za’Kari Johnson has officially committed to the Seminoles, choosing Florida State over other finalists including Miami, Auburn, Syracuse, and Georgia Tech. A standout at Miami (Fla.) Carol City High School, Johnson recently reclassified from the 2028 recruiting class to the 2027 class. According to 247Sports’ composite rankings, he is ranked as the No. 349 overall prospect, the No. 21 athlete, and the No. 31 player in the state of Florida for the 2027 cycle. While there has been discussion regarding his ideal position at the collegiate level, Johnson’s versatility was on display last season at Plantation (Fla.) High School, where he played both quarterback and defensive back before transferring. Johnson informed 247Sports that the coaching staff intends to utilize him primarily in the secondary. Johnson joins as Florida State’s 14th commitment in the 2027 class, marking the program’s fourth four-star addition for the cycle. The Seminoles’ 2027 recruiting class is currently ranked 53rd by 247Sports. This recruitment comes during a challenging period for the program. Following a perfect 13-0 season that ended in a College Football Playoff absence, Florida State has struggled to a 7-17 record over the last two years. As Mike Norvell enters his seventh season, the program continues to work toward regaining its previous momentum.")
India kicked off their ODI series against England in commanding fashion, securing a comfortable six-wicket victory in the opening match at Edgbaston. Chasing a target of 259, the visitors reached 262/4 in 45.2 overs, thanks to fluent half-centuries from Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar and Player of the Match Axar Patel. Earlier, England were bowled out for 258 in 47.5 overs despite valuable contributions from Joe Root and Liam Dawson.
Joe Root and Liam Dawson rescue England after middle-order collapse
After winning the toss, England opted to bat first and made a brisk start through Ben Duckettwho scored an entertaining 43 off 45 balls with six boundaries and two sixes. However, India struck at regular intervals to ensure the hosts never completely took control. Jacob Bethell struggled for momentum before falling for 14, while Harry Brook‘s stay at the crease lasted only three deliveries as Jasprit Bumrah removed him to claim another significant ODI milestone. If Buttler and Sam Curran also failed to make an impact, leaving England under pressure.
The innings was rebuilt by the experienced Root, who anchored the batting with a classy 76 from 76 deliveries, including six fours and a six. Root found support later from Dawson, whose unbeaten 68 off 83 balls kept England competitive. Dawson mixed caution with aggression, striking six boundaries and a maximum to guide England beyond the 250-run mark.
A late cameo from Jofra Archerwho smashed 12 off just six balls, added a few useful runs before England were dismissed for 258 with more than two overs remaining. Axar was India’s standout bowler, finishing with impressive figures of 4/62 in 9.5 overs. Prasidh Krishna and Gurnoor Singh Brar claimed two wickets apiece, while Shivam Dubey chipped in with one. Bumrah bowled with his usual discipline, conceding only 31 runs in nine overs while taking the prized wicket of Brook.
Shubman Gill lays the platform before Axar Patel and Washington Sundar finish the chase
India’s pursuit got off to a cautious start as Rohit Sharma departed for 11 and Virat Kohli was dismissed for just five, giving England early hope. Gill, however, ensured there was no panic in the dressing room. The Indian captain produced a polished innings of 80 from 75 balls, striking 11 fours and a six. He rotated the strike efficiently while punishing loose deliveries to keep the required rate firmly under control. Shreyas Iyer added a composed 35, helping Gill rebuild after the early setbacks.
England briefly tightened the contest by dismissing KL Rahul cheaply, but Sundar and Axar took complete control of the chase. Sundar played an intelligent knock of 52 off 63 deliveries, balancing caution with timely aggression. Axar then capped a memorable all-round performance with an unbeaten 57 from just 52 balls, featuring five fours and a six. His confident strokeplay ensured India crossed the finish line with 28 balls to spare and six wickets in hand.
England’s pace trio of Archer, Josh Tongue and Curran picked up one wicket each, but none of the bowlers managed to build sustained pressure as India’s middle order calmly guided the visitors home. The victory gives India a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series and continues their strong start to preparations for future 50-over assignments
A truly flawless all-round performance
Axar Patel bags the well-deserved POTM award for his 4⃣-wicket haul and vital half-century
Scorecard #TeamIndia | #ENGvIND | @akshar2026 pic.twitter.com/eSGYHXzXll
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 14, 2026
6th consecutive victory for India against England in ODIs. pic.twitter.com/hKMjteKSLr
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 14, 2026
This win will give team India so much satisfaction as it came because of partnership between two all rounders which they needed it badly.
Axar patel was flawless & Washington sundar was in total control.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) July 14, 2026
India win by 6 wickets and take a 1-0 lead in the ODI series!
A brilliant all-round performance from Team India. After restricting England to 258, the chase was led by Shubman Gill (80), while Axar Patel (57 & 4 wickets) and Washington Sundar (52) calmly finished the…
— King_Of_Chase¹⁸ (@King_Of_Chase18) July 14, 2026
Finally, the losing drought is over! Brilliant bowling set the tone, and Shubman Gill along with Axar Patel finished the job with composed batting. A complete team performance. #INDvsENG #TeamIndia
— Biswatosh Sinha (@biswatosh) July 14, 2026
India finally opened their account on the UK tour with a convincing 6 wicket victory over England.
Captain Shubman Gill led from the front with another composed innings.
Shubman Gill’s tactical decisions were spot on.
His bowling rotations were well planned, and he used his…
— Parth Raval (@gopu_r) July 14, 2026
A convincing win for #TeamIndia
Thanks to our #ODISkipper @ShubmanGill for making our day happy
Heros of the Match:
1. Shubman Gill 80 (75)
2. Axar Patel 57 (52)
3. Washington Sundar 52 (63)Again ordinary performance by @ShreyasIyer15 35 (53)
Good Luck for 2nd ODI #MeninBlue pic.twitter.com/0W9Z6tIwCw
— Sameer Ranjan Mishra (@SameerRanjanMi6) July 14, 2026
Also WATCH: ENG vs IND: Jasprit Bumrah removes Harry Brook with a beauty to claim 150th ODI wicket
Also Read
- Four-Star DB Za’Kari Johnson Commits to Florida State</TITLE]Apr 20, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles helmet during the Spring Showcase at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images With the upcoming season approaching in less than two months, the Florida State football program received a significant boost Tuesday night. Four-star recruit Za’Kari Johnson has officially committed to the Seminoles, choosing Florida State over other finalists including Miami, Auburn, Syracuse, and Georgia Tech. A standout at Miami (Fla.) Carol City High School, Johnson recently reclassified from the 2028 recruiting class to the 2027 class. According to 247Sports’ composite rankings, he is ranked as the No. 349 overall prospect, the No. 21 athlete, and the No. 31 player in the state of Florida for the 2027 cycle. While there has been discussion regarding his ideal position at the collegiate level, Johnson’s versatility was on display last season at Plantation (Fla.) High School, where he played both quarterback and defensive back before transferring. Johnson informed 247Sports that the coaching staff intends to utilize him primarily in the secondary. Johnson joins as Florida State’s 14th commitment in the 2027 class, marking the program’s fourth four-star addition for the cycle. The Seminoles’ 2027 recruiting class is currently ranked 53rd by 247Sports. This recruitment comes during a challenging period for the program. Following a perfect 13-0 season that ended in a College Football Playoff absence, Florida State has struggled to a 7-17 record over the last two years. As Mike Norvell enters his seventh season, the program continues to work toward regaining its previous momentum.
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