Jake Ball was instrumental as the Nottinghamshire seamer helped guide England to a consolation One-Day International victory at Eden Gardens, their first of the Indian tour.
There was also redemption for Ben Stokes after the ICC World T20 Final that took place at the same ground, the Durham all-rounder helping himself to three wickets and an unbeaten fifty.
At the beginning of the day. Jason Roy started well and looked to play aggressively, trying to put the bowlers off their length.
He was taking calculated risks, but most of the time he was getting the reward and his 50 came off 41 balls, his third half century of the series.
Two balls after drinks and Ravindra Jadeja ignited the hosts by removing Billings, the replacement at the top of the order for the injured Alex Hales, for 35.
Jadeja looked dangerous as he carried on an aggressive spell, putting vast amounts of pressure on Roy. A few balls later Roy was trapped at the back of his crease as he looked to cut a full delivery, going for a well-constructed 65 off 56 deliveries.
After some very successful hitting, England captain Eoin Morgan fell to Hardik Pandya’s slower ball and was caught for 43 off 44 deliveries, the tourists well placed at 194-3 in the 33rd over.
Pandya had his second shortly after, Jos Buttler hitting a slower ball to cover on 11, whilst Jonny Bairstow reached his half century at the other end, coming off 58 balls.
The England number three didn’t last much longer though, caught by Jadeja off Pandya (3-49) for 56, before Moeen Ali was bounced out by Jasprit Bumrah for just two.
Stokes and Chris Woakes provided the crucial late impetus that would prove crucial later on, the former smashing 57* from 39 deliveries whilst the latter added 34 off 19, England posting 321-8 from their 50 overs.
England’s bowlers came out looking for early wickets on a cool evening in Kolkata and David Willey provided them with just that, Ajinkya Rahane bowled by an in-swinging delivery for just one.
Willey would leave the field shortly after with an injured shoulder, allowing Ball to make an immediate impact, unsettling Lokesh Rahul with a short ball that the Indian opener could only loop to Jos Buttler.
Dangerman Virat Kohli elegantly drove Plunkett down the ground on his way to a half century from 54 balls, India recovering well having been 38-2.
A big breakthrough came when Stokes bowled a quick wide delivery and the grateful Buttler grasped the chance as Kohli made 55 from 63 balls.
Kohli’s ally, Yuvraj Singh (44), followed shortly after, only able to flick a Liam Plunkett delivery into the grateful hands of Billings.
After a few more accomplished strokes from MS Dhoni, Ball silenced Eden Gardens when the former Indian captain forcefully edged to Buttler who again took another good catch.
The fascinating battle continued and England struggled to force another breakthrough. India were on the charge and a 50 run partnership materialised between the comfortable looking pair of Kedar Jadhav and Pandya.
Jadhav’s strokeplay was magnificent as he hit the ball to most areas of the ground. He brought up his 50 off 46 deliveries with a safe chip down the ground which raced past Roy.
A much needed wicket for England came as Stokes removed Pandya for an admirable 56 from 43 balls.
Jadeja approached the crease looking to finish the match off in style as he hit back to back fours off Woakes, but one shot too many led to him being caught on the boundary by Bairstow for 10.
Adrenaline then got to Ravichandran Ashwin, falling for one as he got under a delivery from Stokes sending a high catch for Woakes to cling on to.
Woakes got the match winning break though as Jadhav was caught very calmly on the boundary by Billings. He received a standing ovation from the Indian team and crowd as he walked off after making 90 from 75 deliveries.
Woakes kept his cool throughout the final over with a series of unplayable yorkers to finish with four dots having conceded ten from the first two deliveries, England claiming a five-run triumph.
England return to Nottingham in 2017 to face South Africa and the West Indies. With tickets for days one and two of the South Africa Test having already been snaffled, don't miss the chance to see some of the most exciting sides in world cricket go toe-to-toe in the unique surroundings of Trent Bridge.