England’s tour of India now moves to its final chapter with the Three Lions losing the T20I series against England. The visitors lost the series 3-2 as they lost the decider on Saturday by 36 runs, The focus is now on the three-match ODI series to be played in Pune. The first match is to be played on March 23 and in this article we will analyse India’s Predicted XI for the first ODI.
England, on the other hand, would look to bounce back after the T20I series defeat. The number one ranked team has some of the best white-ball players. Eoin Morgan will be looking forward for a turnaround with England’s misfiring middle-order hogging the limelight.
India’s Predicted XI For 1st ODI vs England
Rohit Sharma
The Indian vice-captain missed the first two T20Is and played a crucial knock in the decider in Ahmedabad. Rohit along with Kohli are two of India’s most senior players and they batted like champions in the T20I series. Rohit will be looking to keep his good form going in the ODIs. Thie ODI series can also be his preparation for the upcoming World T20 later this year. Rohit is one short of equalling Ricky Ponting in the list of most ODI hundreds in international cricket. If he scores two, he will be the third most in the list of most century makers in the format.
Also Read: Rohit Sharma Opens Up On Opening With Virat Kohli For India In T20Is
KL Rahul
Despite a poor run of form, KL Rahul is expected to be back for the first ODI vs England. He was dropped from the playing XI for the decider on Saturday, which was more of a tactical decision from the team management. With Virat Kohli having already said that KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma will be the first-choice openers, it is yet another opportunity for Rahul to get back his lost form.
Virat Kohli
The Indian skipper ended as the Man of the Series in the T20I series against England. The ODI series gives him another chance to extend his good form. He could not score much in the Test series, made the most of his good form in the T20Is and will look to scale new heights in the ODIs. He currently has 43 ODI tons to his name, the most after Sachin Tendulkar’s tally of 49.
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Suryakumar Yadav
Kohli can either slot in at number four if he wants to elevate the youngster. He scored a fifty and scored a quickfire 32 in the decider. He has made a strong case of the management giving him more chances at number three. Having made his T20I debut in the series, he is likely to make his ODI debut against England as well.
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Rishabh Pant
The management is trying to maximise Pant’s ability by allowing to bat him at number five. They did it in the T20I series against England and looks good to do so in the T20Is as well. Pant has shown tremendous consistency since the Australia tour and will look to give it an extended run. He will also don the gloves behind the stumps.
Shreyas Iyer
Iyer who was India’s answer to their long-term problem at number four in the shorter format was made to bat at number five and six to allow other players to bat higher up the order. Iyer batted at number five in the first two games before batting at number six in the last two. He was not needed in the decider. However, it looks like, with this team combination, Iye will bat at number six. This means he along with Hardik Pandya will do the finisher’s role in the series.
Hardik Pandya
Hardik bowling for India is a welcome news for the team management. His all-round abilities gives the team a much-needed balance. India can also look to experiment in the ODI series if Hardik does both his job to perfection. The management can either look to play an extra batsman or a bowler depending upon the conditions.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Bhuvi was at his best in the T20I series against England. In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, Bhuvi will once again lead the Indian pace attack. His change-ups during the death and his early swing make him an invaluable asset for the team.
Yuzvendra Chahal
Chahal was expensive in the first three games and dropped in the next two. With Chahal being Kohli’s first-choice spinner, he is expected to make a comeback into the team in the first ODI. A good performance from him can see him play all three games in the lead up to the IPL.
Kuldeep Yadav
This is the perfect opportunity for the team management to give Kuldeep a few games after he has mostly sat on the sidelines in the last couple of years. The Kulcha combination can be back as well for Team India. Kuldeep also has a good record against England. He has his best ODI figures against them of 6 for 25. He is too good a bowler to be sitting on the sidelines.
T Natarajan
Natarajan was added to the Indian squad ahead of the fourth T20I against England. He played in the fifth and looked in good rhythm. He is the sole left-arm pacer in the Indian squad and thus should play all the game. His death bowling is something that the team will be looking at with the World T20 later this year.
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