We are down to the last series on ongoing England’s full tour of India, a 3-match ODI series that kick starts today (Mar 23) in Pune. Home team India won both the 4-match Test series (by 3-1) and 5-match T20I series (by 3-2) comfortably earlier. It is now time for both teams to battle out their strengths in the 50-over format.
India:
Shikhar Dhawan would be so relieved after Virat Kohli’s recent presser on the eve of the first ODI. Dhawan was dropped after a failure in the first T20I and had to warm the bench for the next four games. However, he is now a certainty in the ODI squad and will open the batting for India in the first match alongside Rohit Sharma. KL Rahul’s struggles in the T20I series meant that he might lose his place in the playing XI in the first match. It would be interesting to see in-form Suryakumar Yadav making his ODI debut for India. His contribution with the bat meant that India won both the must-win games in the 5-match T20I series.
Shreyas Iyer batted lower down the order in the recently concluded T20I series against England which did not give him much of a chance to express himself. In his place at the top, Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav batted and made a mark for themselves with half-centuries each in the series. Shreyas might be batting up the order at least in the first ODI match considering his experience in the International arena.
As far as the wicket-keeper’s role is concerned, Rishabh Pant has been doing it perfectly fine in the recent past for India and will be the first-choice wicket-keeper in the first ODI. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was brilliant in the T20I series and would be back to lead India’s bowling attack. Natarajan too had a great ODI tour of Australia and would be picked alongside Bhuvi in the playing XI. One between Chahal and Kuldeep will be picked and Washington Sundar might be a certainty in the playing XI.
Probable XI: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (c), Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shardul Thakur, T Natarajan, Yuzvendra Chahal/Krunal Pandya.
England:
If there is a player that England would dearly miss in this India series, then it would be Joe Root who is rested as per England Cricket Board. In his absence, Sam Billings will be the front-runner to take Root’s No.3 place in England’s playing XI. Visiting side had few concerns after the recently concluded T20I series. Though their top-order excelled with the bat, it was their middle-order who failed them in tight finishes! Ben Stokes and Eoin Morgan should come to their absolute best for England to stand a chance in this ODI series against confident India.
Right-arm pacer Jofra Archer was ruled out of this 3-match ODI series increasing the problems for England in the pace department. Tom Curran conceded heavily in the only T20I he played against India and might not even be picked for the first ODI match. Mark Wood would likely spearhead the pace attack and Reece Topley might be picked in place of Archer and might share the new ball with Wood.
Playing for CSK, Sam Curran had a different role in the IPL 2020 season. However, he was underutilized both with the bat and with the ball in the recently concluded 5-match T20I series against India. With England’s middle-order struggling, Sam Curran might get a chance to prove his batting skills in this 50-over format.
Probable XI: Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Billings, Eoin Morgan (c), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (wk), Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Mark Wood, Adil Rashid, Reece Topley
Head to Head Record:
India and England thus far have played 100 ODI matches against each other. India have a slight advantage over England in this format winning 53 games. England won 42 games while 2 games were tied including a league match in World Cup 2011. Three other games between these two teams were abandoned.
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