India vs England 2021: Predicting England’s playing XI for the ODI series
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The England cricket team have not had a particularly bad tour of India so far. At various points in the series, the side has managed to express their competence and even dominate over the hosts. India were stunned straightaway in the first test of the four-match series before they bounced back. Similarly, in the T20I series, India could easily have ended up on the wrong side of the result.
England would thus take a lot of positives from the two series and bring them into the three-match ODI series that begins tomorrow at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. England have gone with pretty much the same side from their T20I series (with the exception of the injured Jofra Archer) and would fancy their chances of ending the tour on a winning note.
We take a look at the playing XI England could go with in the series.
Top Order: Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Eoin Morgan
England would almost certainly have a change at the top of the order from the T20I series due to their tendency to play Jos Buttler in the middle order when it comes to ODIs. Jason Roy who shone in the T20Is would want to come up with similar performances when he opens with Jonny Bairstow.
At No. 3, England usually have Joe Root in their line-up but in his absence, it could be one of Sam Billings, Jos Buttler or Eoin Morgan. The others would drop down and it remains to be seen who bats at the all-important spot.
Middle Order: Sam Billings, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler
In the absence of Dawid Malan in the ODIs as well as the unavailability of Joe Root, it would be Sam Billings who would get his chance to shine. England have often shuffled their batting order and so it is impossible to predict exactly as to when the likes of Billings and Jos Buttler would bat. There could be a lot of shuffling and a dependence on the situation at hand in deciding the same. Liam Livingstone would be used as a backup for Billings.
Ben Stokes would play a crucial role with both bat and ball. He would be the sixth bowling option and hence, England would want to him to chip in with a few overs.
All-Rounders: Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Tom Curran
England have terrific depth in their batting and the same would be on display in the ODIs as well. Sam Curran is likely to be picked as is his brother Tom Curran due to the absence of Jofra Archer. The duo would be expected to contribute with the bat if needed at the death as well.
The second spinner would be Moeen Ali who hasn’t played a lot of games over the course of the last few months despite being with the squad nearly throughout. His contributions with the bat could be important in the series as well.
Bowlers: Adil Rashid, Mark Wood
The leader of the spin attack would be Adil Rashid and he would want to come up with breakthroughs such as those of Virat Kohli whom he has troubled in the past. The lead pacer would be Mark Wood who had an excellent first half of the T20I series before being taken for runs in the later games. Leg-spinner Matt Parkinson and pacer Reece Topley would be backups here.
Also Read: India vs England 2021: Predicting India’s playing XI for the ODI series
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Nevin Clinton
(2399 Articles Published)