5 reasons why India should not get complacent with ODI series win in England

The Indian cricket team overcame a 1-3 series loss in the Test series against England to inflict a series defeat on the hosts in the 5-match ODI series that followed: only their second ODI series win in the Old Blighty. The series win coming after losses in the ODI leg of their previous overseas outings, 0-2 in South Africa and 0-4 in New Zealand, has led to the school of belief that the team has become a lot better and can go on to defend the World Cup title next year in Australia and New Zealand. However, here, I present you the 5 reasons why India shouldn’t get self-satisfied with the result.

#1 Opening woes continue

India have failed to find a consistent opening pair ever since Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir were dropped from the side. Following a series of experiments that bore no fruits, Rohit Sharma was made to partner Shikhar Dhawan in the Champions Trophy last year in England. The duo notched up 2 hundred and 2 half-century stands, which paved the way for the team's glorious run in the tournament. However, their failure in the fast and bouncy pitches of South Africa and the seaming conditions of New Zealand (with scores of 50, 8, 5, 64, 22, 15, 10, 14) put immense pressure on the middle order and, in turn, led to back-to-back series defeats.

Rohit and Dhawan could contribute only 19 for the 1st wicket in the 2nd ODI of the just concluded series against England, after which the former was ruled out with injury. It paved the way for Ajinkya Rahane, who has been trusted with all sorts of roles by MS Dhoni depending on the team's needs, to partner Dhawan.

Barring the 4th ODI where the duo put on 183 runs while chasing 207, they have failed to consistently deliver, as well.

They say well begun is half the job done, and it is essential for India to find an opening pair who would give the Men in Blue an ideal launch pad so that players like Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni can play their natural game.

#2 England not a strong ODI team

Recently retired England spinner Graeme Swann’s statement that England aren’t one of the contenders to win the 2015 World Cup set tongues wagging. Coming from someone who has been very much a part of the set-up, it wasn’t surprising that it raised a few eyebrows. Over the years, the English team has emerged as a force to reckon with in the Test matches; not in ODIs, though, mainly due to the undue importance given to the Ashes by the England Cricket Board and the management.

Out of the 6 bilateral series played by England since 2013, they have managed to win only one series, against West Indies: 2-1 in a 3-match series.

Alastair Cook, a brilliant Test player and the captain himself, has had his place questioned in the shorter formats, and the experienced Ian Bell seems to be a misfit in coloured clothes. The lack of a genuine spinner (no, Moeen Ali doesn’t count as one) hurts the team, as well, and India would do well to not get complacent over a win against a team that aren’t even competitive in the LOI arena in adverse conditions.

#3 England\'s inexperienced bowlers

MS Dhoni’s men were facing an England bowling attack devoid of Stuart Broad, arguably their best LOI bowler, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to an injury. James Anderson, the leader of the attack, looked clearly overworked after playing 5 Test matches at a stretch. Adding to it, he has never been a force in the limited overs arena when the conditions don’t aid him, with his not-so-good death bowling abilities adding to the woes.

The fact that Anderson picked up his first wicket of the series in the last One-dayer speaks volumes of the threat (or rather the lack of threat) posed by him: a sharp contrast to the Test match scenario where he ended up as the highest wicket-taker.

James Tredwell, though good, isn’t anywhere close to the man he replaced: Swann. The likes of Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan, Harry Gurney and Steve Finn failed to pose consistent threat, as well.

The Indians should know that facing the likes of Mitchell Johnson and Dale Steyn in Australia next year would be a different ball game altogether.

#4 Indian death bowling remains a worry

The Indian bowling attack, especially the spinners, has to be largely credited for the series victory; wrapping up the English side for totals of 161, 227 and 206, respectively, in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th ODIs is no mean task. However, it meant that none of the bowlers were tested in the death overs. When they were, they leaked runs a plenty.

The Indian bowlers were hammered for 88 runs in the last 10 overs in the final ODI and for 81 runs in 5 overs in the lone T20.

No matter whom the Indian captain turned to in the 5th ODI, there was no respite offered. Mohammad Shami was the only one who looked like he belonged. However, as if to prove that it wouldn’t be wise to expect him to do it consistently, he was hit to all parts of the ground by the likes of Eoin Morgan and Ravi Bopara in the T20 international match that followed

Mohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin went for 9.75 and 9.25 runs per over respectively as India lost both the matches. The team’s biggest nemesis continued to haunt them as the search for an effective end bowler continues.

#5 Is it subcontinent all over again?

The pitches in England were very similar to the ones offered in the sub continent: no lateral movement, no bounce and enough turn for the spinners. In similar conditions in the Champions Trophy last year, India had romped home to the title, without losing a match. The expectations scaled, only for the subsequent tours to South Africa and New Zealand to prove that the Indians will continue to remain as poor travellers in tracks that don’t aid spinners.

Ashwin and Jadeja won’t get much assistance in Australia, and the batsmen, in particular, Raina will have to brace up for some chin music Down Under.

Yes, the series win was much needed. Yes, the Indian team showed its authority on the field; their real test, though, will come when they tour Australia later this year, which will be a preparation of sorts for the 2015 Cricket World Cup.