Last Updated on 7 years by Charbel Coorey
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| Image credit: Getty Images |
It’s not coming home! As expected.
Now, the often carried away English, led by their media, can get carried away on something else. Is the ODI series trophy “coming home” to England as well? India will be doing their all to ensure that’s not the case!
Now, with my trademark banter out of the way, it’s really time to focus on this series.
With England now out of the Football World Cup, this ODI series will rightly get the attention it deserves. Two of the top sides in ODI cricket will go head-to-head just a year out from the World Cup. So much talent will be on display, highlighted by key individual battles that will keep us on the edge of our seats. It promises to be a beauty.
England have had a great 2018 when it comes to ODI cricket, with the only blemish a shock loss to Scotland. They have won nine out of ten matches against Australia, and beat New Zealand 3-2 away from home. However, this promises to be their biggest test, with their opponents today possessing unbelievable know-how when it comes to the ODI format. England have the quality to win this, though, which will make for compelling viewing.
India sent a warning shot in the T20Is. However, the real gauge of success is here for India, with the ODIs and Tests a true indication of whether they will leave England with pure satisfaction written on their faces. The men in blue have won their last nine bilateral ODI series in a row, including a 5-1 demolition of South Africa earlier this year. There is no doubt they will be England’s biggest test of the year so far.
Like the excitement you get when you see your great food & drink come in a restaurant, the first ODI promises to satisfy our craving for great cricket!
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| Let the series begin! (Image credit: Getty Images) |
Key to an England win
Looking at how good both sides are in this format, as well as how well fought out the T20I series was, this could come down to winning very small moments.
Much will depend on England’s top order to put pressure on India, especially with Jasprit Bumrah out. India will be missing arguably the best death bowler in the world, so it’s on the England top four to ensure they have a very strong launch pad for those death overs. Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow were England’s best across the Australia ODIs, and with Jos Buttler in the form of his life, England have plenty to play with.
Also, how can England limit India’s powerful batting line up? There are two possible avenues. One is early wickets, of course, but another is to keep the run rate at an acceptable rate heading into the last 15-20 overs, where they can ask questions of India’s middle order to finish effectively.
Key to an India win
There are so many positive India can take out of the recent third T20I. On a flat pitch and very small ground, India held their nerve without Bhvuneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav to restrict England to under 200 after such a manic start.
Indeed, the ODI format presents different challenges, but one thing India are fantastic at is nailing each stage of the innings with both bat and ball. It’s why they are successful in the ODI format from series to series, and why they are
arguably favourites for next year’s World Cup.
With Bhuvneshwar Kumar possibly missing this game, the onus is on the inexperienced seamers to keep England in check in the opening ten. Then, the two wristspinners can work England over in the middle overs. And of course, the death is critical. Can India deliver in all three stages?
Also, Shikhar Dhawan is in need of runs after a quiet T20I series. Another thing India is in need of is Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul continuing their good showings from that series. The onus is on these four to provide a platform for the middle to finish well.
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| Three key players for India, as often the case |
Possible teams
Joe Root made way for Ben Stokes in the third T20I, but it’s likely to be Alex Hales for the ODIs.
England possible XI: 1. Jason Roy, 2. Jonny Bairstow, 3. Joe Root, 4. Eoin Morgan (c), 5. Ben Stokes, 6. Jos Buttler (wk), 7. Moeen Ali, 8. David Willey, 9. Liam Plunkett, 10. Adil Rashid, 11. Mark Wood
For India, it remains to be seen whether Bhuvneshwar Kumar plays. He apparently didn’t train on the eve of the match, and with two ODIs and five Tests to come after this, India would be wise to wrap him in cotton wool. Siddarth Kaul would be the likely addition to the team in his place. Also, I believe KL Rahul has to play (he should bat four with Kohli staying at three), with a decision to be made on Dinesh Karthik or Suresh Raina.
India possible XI: 1. Rohit Sharma, 2. Shikhar Dhawan, 3. Virat Kohli (c), 4. KL Rahul, 5. MS Dhoni (wk), 6. Dinesh Karthik/Suresh Raina, 7. Hardik Pandya, 8. Siddarth Kaul, 9. Umesh Yadav, 10. Kuldeep Yadav, 11. Yuzvendra Chahal
Stats and Facts
- Combined, India and England have won 17 of 22 ODIs this year.
- England have lost just four of 21 ODIs in the last 12 months, and India have won their last nine bilateral ODI campaigns in a row.
- The last time India lost a three-match series was against Bangladesh in 2015 (five such series since then have all been won by India).
- England scored 481 v Australia on this ground (Nottingham) last month.
- Virat Kohli averages 32.33 in 10 ODIs against England in England.
- MS Dhoni is just 33 runs away from 10,000 ODI runs.
Prediction
Wow. What a tough one this is to predict.
If India had Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah, I would tip them to win. However, without them, it remains to be seen how they go. For that reason, I will tip England (yes, even as an Aussie) to win. But, I certainly wouldn’t be surprised if this goes the other way.
P.S. Enjoy the cricket today with great food deals below! Thanks for reading!
