New Era
As MS Dhoni has decided to step down as a captain with immediate effect, the ODI series against England will be Virat Kohli's first assignment as an all format captain. It will give Virat Kohli a chance to shape Indian ODI team as per his requirements.
In recent past, Indian Test team and ODI side have had contrasting fortunes. While test team is on a rise, ODI side is going through a crummy patch. Since 2015 World Cup India have lost three out of their six ODI series - against Bangladesh, South Africa and Australia - with wins coming twice against Zimbabwe and once against underwhelming New Zealand. With just three more games before Champions Trophy. India have plenty to ponder. Three ODIs against England will give a chance to find solutions to many burning questions. Who will open with Rohit Sharma? Who is India's finisher? Who is India's multi-faceted player?
Resurgent England
India last played England in ODIs in 2014. Since then a lot has changed. England have slide-ed, dumped and resurrected. England is coming to India on back of some wonderful performances - defeated Sri Lanka, Pakistan in England and combated Bangladesh in Bangladesh.
England have modern flair of Alex Hales, Jason Roy, Sam Billings; class of Joe Root and experience of Eoin Morgan. The depth in batting will be their ally. England will be eyeing only their second series victory over India in India and overall first in last four years.
TALKING POINTS
Dhoni's Batting Position
After finding it difficult to have the same old impact at number 6, Dhoni moved to number 5 against Bangladesh last year but again batted at number 6 in T-20 World Cup. But against New Zealand, Dhoni again reshuffled his batting position and batted at number 4 which yielded him 132 runs at an average of 44 (at number four). It will be interesting to see what role Virat Kohli will assign to MS Dhoni. It will also give a sneak peak about Champions Trophy plans.
Yuvraj's Comeback
Yuvraj Singh will make a comeback to Indian ODI team after 4 years (though he recently played for India in T20 world cup). In his last 19 ODI Yuvraj averaged 18.53. But this year Ranji Trophy yielded him 672 runs which selectors felt were enough for selection. With India searching for 3 dimensional lower middle order batsman, Yuvraj will get a chance to prove his case ahead of Champions Trophy. If Dhoni bats number 4 that means Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav and Yuvraj will vie for crucial number 5 and 6 roles.
Yuvraj's Comeback
Yuvraj Singh will make a comeback to Indian ODI team after 4 years (though he recently played for India in T20 world cup). In his last 19 ODI Yuvraj averaged 18.53. But this year Ranji Trophy yielded him 672 runs which selectors felt were enough for selection. With India searching for 3 dimensional lower middle order batsman, Yuvraj will get a chance to prove his case ahead of Champions Trophy. If Dhoni bats number 4 that means Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav and Yuvraj will vie for crucial number 5 and 6 roles.
Problem of Plenty
While India is facing scarcity of lower-middle order batsmen, England have that stock in abundance. With Captain Eoin Morgan set to return, that means England will have to leave out Jonny Bairstow - the 2016 highest test run scorer and Sam Billings - described by cricket pundits as England's best player of spin bowling. Pressure will be on Eoin Morgan to score runs, otherwise his spot will come under scrutiny.
Players to Watch
India
After being rested for ODIs against New Zealand and being axed for last three ODIs against Australia, Ravichandran Ashwin will get a taste of ODI format after almost a year. Ashwin who has made himself indispensable to Indian Test team will like to carry his test form into one-days and t20s.
England
After withdrawing from Bangladesh tour due to security concerns. Alex Hales is all set to take back his position at top of the order. Hales, England second highest run scorer in 2016 has played an instrumental role in revival of English ODI cricket. What remains to be seen is whether he can continue his batting performances against quality spinners on tardy pitches.
After being rested for ODIs against New Zealand and being axed for last three ODIs against Australia, Ravichandran Ashwin will get a taste of ODI format after almost a year. Ashwin who has made himself indispensable to Indian Test team will like to carry his test form into one-days and t20s.
Rishabh Pant has had spectacular last six months. After shinning brightly for India in U19 world cup he set Ranji Trophy on fire scoring 972 runs across 12 innings at an average of 81.00 and with impeccable strike rate of 107.28. With Shikhar Dhawan not named in t20 squad he may get an opportunity to show his skills.
After withdrawing from Bangladesh tour due to security concerns. Alex Hales is all set to take back his position at top of the order. Hales, England second highest run scorer in 2016 has played an instrumental role in revival of English ODI cricket. What remains to be seen is whether he can continue his batting performances against quality spinners on tardy pitches.
Jos Buttler perfectly epitomizes England dynamic One-Day batting. Coming in at number 5-6 Jos Buttler has often provided finishing touches and now with IPL experience on his side, he is set to play an indispensable role in England's middle order. His recent batting exploits includes three fastest ODI centuries by an Englishman.
With conditions in India unlikely to swing and seam, the extra pace of Liam Plunkett can be vital for England.
Head-to-head
T20s
ODIs
Matches
|
Played
|
Ind won
|
Eng won
|
Tied
|
NR
|
||
Overall
|
93
|
50
|
38
|
2
|
3
|
||
In India
|
45
|
29
|
15
|
1
|
0
|
||
In England
|
38
|
15
|
19
|
1
|
3
|
||
Neutral
|
10
|
6
|
4
|
0
|
0
|
||
T20s
Matches
|
Played
|
Ind won
|
Eng won
|
Tied
|
NR
|
Overall
|
8
|
3
|
5
|
0
|
0
|
In India
|
3
|
1
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
In England
|
3
|
0
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
Neutral
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
SQUADS
India
T20I squad: Virat Kohli (captain), KL Rahul, Mandeep Singh, MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Manish Pandey, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ashish Nehra.
ODI squad: Virat Kohli (captain), KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, MS Dhoni, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Yuvraj Singh, Ajinkya Rahane, Hardik Pandya, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Amit Mishra, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav.
T20I squad: Virat Kohli (captain), KL Rahul, Mandeep Singh, MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Manish Pandey, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ashish Nehra.
ODI squad: Eoin Morgan (captain), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Liam Dawson, Alex Hales, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, David Willey, Chris Woakes.
T20 squad: Eoin Morgan (captain), Moeen Ali, Jake Ball, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Liam Dawson, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Tymal Mills, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, David Willey.
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