Where did India play its first ever One Day International (ODI) cricket match?

Introduction / Context:
One Day International cricket, or ODI cricket, is an important format in the game, and every national team has a historical first appearance. This question tests whether the learner knows the venue where India played its first ever ODI match. Such questions are frequent in sports general knowledge sections and help connect cricket history with famous stadiums in England.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The match referred to is India s first ODI, not a Test match.
• The venue is one of four well known grounds in England.
• Options given are Lords, Headingley, Taunton and The Oval.
• We assume standard cricket history with no change in records.

Concept / Approach:
India began playing ODI cricket in the early nineteen seventies. The first ODI for India took place on a tour of England. The approach is to recall the specific ground where that first match occurred. Knowing that some grounds are more associated with other landmark matches can help eliminate incorrect options, leaving the correct stadium as the logical answer.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that India s first ODI was played against England in the year 1974.Step 2: This historic match took place in Leeds, which is home to the Headingley cricket ground.Step 3: Among the options, Headingley corresponds to the ground in Leeds.Step 4: Lords and The Oval are famous London grounds, but neither hosted India s first ODI.Step 5: Taunton is another English venue, but it is not the location of India s first ODI.Step 6: Therefore, the correct answer is Headingley.

Verification / Alternative check:
A useful verification is to connect India s ODI debut with England s use of different grounds in the nineteen seventies. Records and many cricket history summaries show that India s first ODI appearance came at Headingley in 1974. Confirming that this match was not played at Lords, The Oval or Taunton removes doubt and supports the choice of Headingley as the right answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Lords is often called the home of cricket and has hosted many famous Tests and finals, but it is not the venue of India s first ODI. The Oval is another iconic London ground but is not linked to this specific milestone. Taunton has hosted international matches, yet historical data confirms that India did not play its first ODI there. Only Headingley matches the known venue for India s debut ODI match in 1974.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners may quickly choose Lords simply because it is the most famous ground in England, without recalling the detailed history of ODI matches. Others may remember that several early limited overs matches were spread across different venues and become confused between them. Carefully revising the fact that India s ODI debut was at Headingley in Leeds is the best way to avoid these errors.

Final Answer:
India played its first ever One Day International cricket match at Headingley.