(Info4Now)-How a good start gets a topsy-turvy turn, who knows better than England of India vs England series? But every time India started from behind, they reacted such a way that it was all praiseworthy. Before heading towards the 1st ODI of India vs England ODI Series 2021, I think, England had nothing to promise. The only thing England have to do is to get back to consistency.
For India what is working absolutely phenomenal, is that the backups are delivering with immediacy. So whenever India are struggling with one or two players being off form, they can go for the freshers. The replacement worked in the test series and T20s and it’s why India are at the top.
Preview, 1st ODI of India vs England Series 2021
India might go for the conventional XI for the first match, although it’s not easy to predict playing XI in the very first game of the series. Shekhar Dhawan is a regular partner of Rohit Sharma at the start and it also maintains left-hand right-hand combination. For Shekhar Dhawan, it’s the right time to get back to form. He can take time to settle here unlike the Twenty20 games. Virat Kohli, the run machine, is well oiled in recently played T20 matches and should have a better going now to convert runs into centuries.
Shreyas Iyer came to solidify the No. 4 spot and is having excellent touch, but Subhman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav will be waiting for that. Subhman Gill has to be more consistent to qualify for that spot, as in the later half of the test series he was not in rhythm. On the other hand Suryakumar Yadav might not be included in the first game, he being a perfect T20 player. Rishabh Pant at No. 5 brings an opposite combination in the middle with his left hand.
Hardik Pandya at No. 6 is a perfect all-rounder who can bowl more than needed. Washington Sundar should make playing XI, at least in the first game. Chahal will be back in the side. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is a champion and a soft and slow pitch master who is absolutely accurate in line. For today’s match I’ll go for T. Natarajan in the side, he being much straighter.
I am not sure about the playing XI of England today except must playing candidates. Johnny Bairstow will be back to the opening to join Roy. It’s terrific to watch when the duo bats. A fragile middle order is bringing down England’s chances. So England have to work on the middle order in a hurry. Ben Stokes and Eoin Morgan have to take more responsibility alongside in-form Buttler. Moeen Ali should have been given a chance at least in one of the T20s played. But now he must utilize his position with both bat and bowling.
Mark Wood must work hard on his short balls that appeared very predictable in the last T20 contest. He must go wicket to wicket. Otherwise batsmen can try to utilize the speed in their own favour. Adil Rashid is bowling excellent and it depends a lot on him from England’s perspective.
Conclusion
It’s a batting pitch in Pune and anyone winning the toss would like to chase. With a deep batting line-up and effective bowling variations, India will start with an edge over England.
