England vs India - 4th ODI: Preview

MS Dhoni will be hoping his men can keep their momentum going at Birmingham

Overview

It’s a ground where the final was played. It was the ground that saw people wait for hours to see play possible. It was a day of truncation. It was the ground where history was made. It was literally,a day and a ground which had everything for Indian cricketers and fans to rejoice. It was the ground where the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy was won.

It is obvious, from these facts stated, that we are talking about Edgbaston in Birmingham, that will play host to the 4th ODI between India and England. India reigned supreme here over a year ago, and they cannot get a better place to seal the ongoing ODI series.

India continued from where they left off at Cardiff, winning their 7th consecutive ODI on English soil, without breaking much sweat, even though there were early hiccups. The 3rd ODI and the 2nd ODI were almost the same, England starting well, India coming back, India finishing the 1st innings strongly, and killing England off. The only difference was that India bowled first at Nottingham. The home side would have a lot to ponder on how they can keep this series alive.

Pitch and Weather Conditions

Marcus Trescothick, who has a good record at Edgbaston, has termed the pitch as slow, and one where there should be a lot in store for the spinners. Ashley Giles, former England coach, has a good record here. Technically, England are going to face more problems against spin in 2 days time. So, Dhoni would like to win the toss and have another bowl first.

There is minimal chance of rain. Weather forecast predicts a clear morning, but it can get cloudy through the day, but rain is not predicted.

Head-to-head at Birmingham

India has a slightly better record than England, leading 2-1. India won a World Cup match here in 1999 and lifted the Champions Trophy in 2013 at the ground. England won in an ODI series in 2007, where Bell top scored with 79.

India Preview

India’s plan has been to allow England to take the first 10-15 overs, slowly accelerate and in the final 10-15 overs, up the ante and then finish them off. Virat Kohli is back amongst the runs, but has let himself down after the spat with Ben Stokes. Ajinkya Rahane keeps getting out after getting off to starts, but his persistence will surely pay off one day. Shikhar Dhawan has not yet found his rhythm, a concern issue.

Suresh Raina has continued on his good form from Cardiff, and Ambati Rayudu has found some batting from, recording his highest score in ODIs at Trent Bridge. He also surprised everyone when he had Alastair Cook stumped off a wide delivery.

Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have been at their miserly best, going at an economy rate of less than 4 in the last match. They continuously tormented the English batsmen with various tricks and artifices, and I don't see them not putting the English batsmen into the mire once again.

India’s fielding was simply brilliant, right from Raina’s brilliant catch to Mohit Sharma’s long distance throw to run-out Ian Bell. They were also responsible for many runs being saved in the last 2 games, and look raring to go out and continue that form.

England Preview

Many critics and fans don’t see them winning a single ODI this series. Michael Vaughan and Graeme Swann, 2 former English cricketers, have dismissed England from winning the World Cup. Such has been their below average form in recent times in the one-day format.

Their batting collapsed yet again, just like the game at Cardiff. They slipped from 82-0 to 149-6. They were in a position to not even reach 200, but some stubborn resistance from Jos Buttler and James Tredwell somehow ensured the score of 227, which was a score of some respectability. Root hasn’t shown his capability against India in ODIs.

The comeback of Steven Finn has not helped England’s bowling woes. They were comfortably dispatched with more than 7 overs to spare. Anderson just couldn’t re-produced his Test form into the ODIs. They allowed too many easy singles, which is a major cause for concern.

Expected teams

India: Same team, but might want to replace Dhawan with Murali Vijay or Sanju Samson

England: Gary Ballance and Moeen Ali, the chief architects of their victory in the Tests, in place of Joe Root and Ben Stokes respectively.