Pre-match analysis of the India England One Day International series kicking-off at Bristol in a few hours. Much to play for, particularly for India.
As the five match one day international series between India
and England gets underway in a few hours at Bristol, one is tempted to make
predictions. But hey, if the predicted results did not throw a surprise, it
would not be sport.
Indian Squad
The Indian eleven likely to take the field at the opener
would be - Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh
Raina, MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Karn Sharma, Bhuvneshwar
Kumar and Mohammed Shami. Missing the game most likely would be Mohit
Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Stuart Binny, Dhawal Kulkarni, Ambati Rayudu and Sanju
Samson. However irrespective of stats outside England, the decision concerning
Umesh Yadav and Mohit Sharma would certainly give the Indian management
something to think about. The pace of Umesh Yadav would be a useful asset for
Dhoni to call upon, and let’s face it, the threat of Bhuvneshwar Kumar was
minimal as the recent test series progressed.
Sounds a very promising Indian squad, until, you stack it up
against the England squad, the conditions and the form.
India has promise in the batting line up, and will have to
ensure they take their time to see off the early threat, and build partnerships
through their innings. Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina could be pivotal at the
top and the late middle order for India’s cause. Not to undermine the
importance of the other batsmen in the top order to come good for India,
it is these two who have escaped the scars of the recent test series, and offer
a mix of skills and application necessary to take the battle to the opposition.
Some crystal ball gazing here, no doubt, but England’s plans against Kohli,
Dhawan and Jadeja seem to have worked well so far. Unless they dig deep and
demonstrate an ability to overcome technical weaknesses and fight with grit,
they may be struggling again.
The biggest promise for India is presented by the spin duo
of Ashwin and Karn Sharma. If early in-roads can be made with the new ball,
India may be able to control the game with their spin options in the middle
overs. This may sound counter intuitive on a track fresh English track, but
with field restrictions and run-rate pressures, it is a different ball game.
The Opposition
The England eleven to take the field at the Bristol opening
game could be Alastair Cook, Alex Hales, Gary Balance, Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan,
Joe Root, Moeen Ali, Jos Buttler, Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan and James
Anderson. The tough decision for England would be leaving out Harry Gurney and
Steven Finn, although resting Ben Stokes and James Tredwell is an easier call,
given the performance of Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes with the ball in the
recently concluded test series. The absence of Stuart Broad should not be a big
headache for the English team management, as they have enough and more options
available. They had to drop Ravi Bopara from the squad, which is ample evidence
of the abundance of choice they are dealing with.
England have a formidable new opening partnership in Alex
Hales and Alastair Cook, with Hales in scintillating form, eager to prove himself
in the 50 over format and push further. Opening with Hales, Cook will have the
perfect opportunity to take his time and play anchor. The top and middle order
for England gets even stronger in this format with Morgan joining Balance,
Bell, Root, Buttler and Moeen Ali. The bowling will be led by James Anderson,
no doubt, and it is his early spell which will play a pivotal role for England.
Condition will
Dominate
One could argue about the recent ODI form of both teams, but
it does not aid the discussion much. Take for instance England’s ODI series
loss to visitors Sri Lanka, after taking the lead in the opener at the Oval.
India won an away series in Bangladesh, with a side which excluded a few of
their star performers. But as would be obvious to followers of the game, these
results are mere statistic and will account for little in predicting the
outcome of this series.
The conditions that India have contended with in the
recently conclude Test series, their inability to cope with English swing and
seam bowling is the key factor which will determine the outcome of the ODI
series too. Back in 2011, the ODI leg of the Indian tour to England was
white-washed 5-0, in line with the one-sided result of the Test series which
had preceded it. The reasons were the conditions, as also the momentum from the
test series. Players bringing in confidence from individual performances,
comradery and unity of a winning team, the green, damp and colder conditions
will certainly put wind into England’s sail. In my assessment, India is really
in a corner here.
The BCCI have made some swift moves to rejuvenate the
support to the team, and the dressing room talk must be full of tough love
certainly. But as many experts have said, it is the players on the field who
have to perform. And in case of this Indian team, show a real will to fight.
A series result of 3-2 either way should be welcomed by both
teams and their fans, as long as the games are close to 100 overs each. No more
meek surrenders please, that is not a good advertisement for the sport.
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