Skipper Eoin Morgan's sublime half-century and a disciplined bowling effort powered England to a seven-wicket win against India in the first T20I in Kanpur on Thursday.

Chasing a modest 148 for victory, England rode on the third-wicket 83-run stand between Morgan (51) and Joe Root (46 not out) to romp home with 11 balls to spare.

But it was Moeen Ali's career best 2-21 that set up the opening win in the three match series as the visitors restricted the Virat Kohli-led side to 147 for 7.

In reply, Billings, who hit a 10-ball 22, showed his intent in the second over of the innings as he smashed paceman Jasprit Bumrah for 3 fours and a six to set the pace.

Billings shared a 42-run opening stand with Jason Roy (19) before leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal removed the openers.

But Morgan and Root kept the chase on track with their attacking brand of cricket.

Morgan, who recorded his eight T20 fifty, struck a four and 4 sixes during his knock.

Debutant Kashmiri off-spinner Parvez Rasool removed Morgan to claim his first T20 wicket but not after the left-handed batsman had taken the game away from the hosts.

SCORES IN BRIEF

INDIA: 147 for 7 in 20 overs (Kohli 29, Raina 34, Dhoni 36 not out; Moeen 2-21)

ENGLAND: 148 for 3 in 18.1 overs (Roy 19, Billings 22, Root 46 not out, Morgan 51; Chahal 2-27)

Result: England won by 7 wickets.

Player-of-the-match: Moeen Ali.