India vs England 2021: Predicting India’s playing XI for the ODI series
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With the enthralling test series and the hotly contested T20I series having come to an end, the focus for India and England will now shift to the three-match ODI series that begins tomorrow at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. The hosts came up trumps in both the tests (3-1) as well as the T20Is (3-2) and they would now want to sweep the tour with a victory in the ODIs as well.
Both sides have already announced their squads for the series and England have gone with pretty much the same side as the one that played the T20Is (with the exception of the injured Jofra Archer). India on the other hand, have made some changes by bringing in Krunal Pandya and Prasidh Krishna and therefore, one can expect a different playing 11 in the ODI matches as opposed to the T20Is.
We take a look at what India’s 11 could look like for the series.
Openers: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan
Vice-captain Rohit Sharma is set to open the innings and there is no reason as to why he could be dropped here. It is the second openers’ spot that remains in doubt and there would be three batters vying for it. Shikhar Dhawan would be favorite as he has been the proven performer for the side over the years.
However, Shubman Gill is in with a shout while KL Rahul who will in all probability be in the playing 11 could be promoted to the top of the order to make room for the likes of Shreyas Iyer or Suryakumar Yadav in the middle order.
Middle Order: Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant
The number 3 spot would belong to none other than captain Virat Kohli who would want to continue his form from the T20I series. At No. 4, KL Rahul who has been woefully out of form would still be trusted to come good. The wicket-keeper and No. 5 batsman would be the exciting Rishabh Pant.
However, there could be changes here and the position of the latter two is not assured with the likes of Shreyas Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav knocking on the playing 11’s doors. It thus, wouldn’t be a surprise if the two manage to get a place.
All-Rounders: Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Shardul Thakur
The Pandya brothers could both play in the ODI series. Hardik Pandya‘s place is all but assured in the playing 11 and Krunal Pandya could join him due to India’s reluctance to play Washington Sundar in the ODI format.
Krunal has been in terrific form with the bat and that could see him get the nod over Sundar as well as Kuldeep Yadav. Shardul Thakur who has been in good form with the ball will be expected to contribute with the bat if needed, as well.
Bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, T Natarajan
Bhuvneshwar Kumar will spearhead the bowling attack and India would rely on him to come good in the Powerplay as well as at the death. The second pacer remains in doubt but T Natarajan could just about get the nod over the likes of Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna.
The spinner will most probably be Yuzvendra Chahal who was not picked in the last two T20Is but his reliability in the ODI format would see him get in over Kuldeep Yadav.
Also Read: India vs England: Gautam Gambhir hails Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s performance during 5th T20I
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Nevin Clinton
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