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While much of the sporting world’s attention has been on the FIFA World Cup, India and England start a very intriguing ODI series. Considering the turmoil in the teams of South Africa and Australia, these two teams are considered favorites for the 2019 ICC World Cup. They are the two top teams in the ICC ODI rankings, with England just edging India (though that may change based on the series result).
England have evolved tremendously since the disaster that was their 2015 World Cup campaign, as the team has started to play modern attacking cricket (quite similar to their football team in Russia). Since crashing out to Bangladesh in 2015, England have won 12 out of the 17 bilateral ODI series they have been a part of. One of those losses came to India who have won nine consecutive bilateral ODI series.
Despite their recent success, the Men in Blue do not have a settled lineup just yet. Captain Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Hardik Pandya and Bhubaneshwar Kumar have ensured (barring injury) their tickets back to England in 2018. However, the rest of the spots in the lineup remain open. Considering the strength of the opposition and the location of this series, several spots will likely be decided over the next two weeks.
Middle-Order: KL Rahul vs Shreyas Iyer
The No.4 position has historically been an issue for the Indian ODI side before World Cups. Greg Chappell infamously misused Sachin Tendulkar at that particular spot in the 2007 World Cup, one of many reasons for India’s ignominious group stage exit. Even in the victorious campaign of 2011, Virat Kohli only made the spot his own a few months before the World Cup.
In 2015, MS Dhoni preferred Ajinkya Rahane at the spot who proved his value with a brilliant 79 against South Africa. It seemed as if Rahane would continue at that spot when Kohli chose to play him at No.4 throughout the ODI series in South Africa earlier this year. However, Rahane has been dropped after his poor IPL performances with the Mumbai batsman’s low strike-rate being a particular concern.
This has led to an open spot in India’s lineup for this series. On one hand, you have the in-form KL Rahul who was arguably the best Indian batsman in the IPL. Rahul has continued his form in England, scoring a brilliant century in the first T20 of this tour. The Karnataka batsman is also one of the few Indian batsmen who have the technique to handle English conditions and the power to demolish any attack.
On the other hand, you have Shreyas Iyer whose potential is clear but struggled in a recent India A tour. Rahul will likely start at No.4 but if he struggles, Iyer will be waiting.
Finisher: Suresh Raina vs Dinesh Karthik
While MS Dhoni was brilliant for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL, he is no longer the finisher he once was. The former captain is still valuable for the side as a lower middle-order accumulator who can be a brilliant finisher on some occasions. Like any great ODI side, Team India will need a finisher in the World Cup.
After Ambati Rayudu’s excellent IPL, it seemed as if Rayudu would fill that role. However, the CSK batsman failed to meet Yo-Yo test requirements and thus has been dropped. Another CSK teammate Suresh Raina was called up for him and he has the chance to win back his former slot right next to Dhoni. However, Raina has been called up primarily due to his T20 form- his last ODI was in October 2015.
Thus, another 30+ batsman may establish himself as India’s finisher. Dinesh Karthik was another player who had a great IPL. Yet what distinguishes him from Raina is the fact that he has recent ODI pedigree- with an average of 61.0 during 2017. Karthik should be preferred but Raina will likely have some chances later in the series to win his spot back.
Spin Attack- Yuzvendhra Chahal vs Kuldeep Yadav vs Axar Patel
When Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja were initially dropped from limited overs sides, many were surprised especially considering the conservative nature of India’s selection. Since then Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendhra Chahal and Axar Patel have proved all their doubters wrong as they have spun webs against opposition batsmen.
Over the past year, Kuldeep has arguably been the best limited overs spinner for India. Since his debut in June 2017, Yadav has taken 39 wickets in 20 games. He was similarly brilliant for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2018 as he took 17 wickets (tied for 7th in the tournament).
As a left-arm wrist-spinner, Yadav’s variations tend to be perplexing especially for non-Asian batsmen. This was clear in the first T20 when he took five wickets in the first T20. Such form makes Yadav the first-choice spinner for India.
However, the identity of the second-choice spinner remains unknown. This is due to an excess of talent as Axar Patel or Yuzvendhra Chahal would be sure-fire starters for any other ODI team. However, only one of them can realistically play in a World Cup in England. Chahal is the more aggressive option as he can take several wickets with his leg-spinners.
On the other hand, Patel is more economical as the traditional finger-spinner who tends to thrive in English conditions. Whichever one of these spinners (Chahal likely starts) establishes himself in this series will be a favorite for the World Cup.
Fourth Pacer- Umesh Yadav vs Shardul Thakur vs Siddarth Kaul
For once, India’s pace attack is set a year before the World Cup. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has reinvented himself as an ideal limited-overs baller: swing with the new ball and brilliant yorkers at the death. Similarly, Jasprit Bumrah has established himself in the lineup with his brilliant death bowling. Kumar, Bumrah and all-rounder Hardik Pandya are likely going to form Team India’s pace attack in the World Cup.
However, considering the injury-prone nature of fast-bowlers and English conditions, India will need a consistent fourth pacer going into the World Cup. Since Bumrah is missing the tour with a thigh injury, the likes of Umesh Yadav, Shardul Thakur and Siddarth Kaul will have a chance to impress the team management. Yadav has the highest pedigree and was excellent in the 2015 World Cup. Considering his pace, Yadav is the best wicket-taker of the trio.
However, that is not what India may want from their fourth pacer in the World Cup. Instead, they would prefer a more consistent and less leaky option such as Thakur and Kaul. Both of whom have earned a reputation as economical bowlers (though Thakur’s lack of pace has been punished in his limited international appearances). This trio will be fighting for the right to return to England next season.
Who do you think will make the spots? Let us know in the comments below!
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