After a difficult middle period with the bat, England recovered impressively thanks to Joe Root and Liam Dawson, but India's experienced batting line-up proved too strong in the chase.
England made a positive start after being asked to bat, with Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell adding 61 for the opening wicket. However, India quickly shifted the momentum as a cluster of wickets reduced the hosts to 107-6.
Joe Root once again provided stability with an unbeaten 76, while Liam Dawson produced one of the standout performances of his international career, making a composed 68 from 83 balls. Their seventh-wicket partnership of 111 lifted England from a difficult position and gave the home side a competitive total to defend.
India's Axar Patel played a major role in restricting England, finishing with impressive figures of 4-62 before later contributing with the bat.
England's seam attack made an encouraging start to the chase. Sam Curran removed Rohit Sharma early, while Jofra Archer trapped Virat Kohli lbw to leave India 26-2.
Captain Shubman Gill then steadied the innings with another assured display at Edgbaston, where he has enjoyed previous success. His fluent 80 anchored the chase before he retired hurt with cramp after appearing to suffer discomfort while batting. Gill later confirmed the issue was only cramp and expects to be available for the second ODI.
England briefly sensed an opportunity when Harry Brook's direct-hit run out dismissed Shreyas Iyer before Josh Tongue removed KL Rahul, leaving India 160-4.
However, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar combined for an unbroken partnership to guide the visitors home. Axar struck an unbeaten 57 from 52 deliveries, while Sundar finished 52 not out, ensuring India crossed the line comfortably.
England will take encouragement from the resilience shown by Root and Dawson after their batting collapse, as well as the pressure created during the middle stages of India's chase. They'll look to build on those positives when the series continues in Cardiff on Thursday.
