England vs India 2018: Five players to watch out for in the ODI series

After an eventful Twenty20 International series between England and India, the action now moves to the One-Day Internationals between the two sides starting from Thursday (July 12).

The T20Is saw both sides showing their class and skill to outsmart the other before India eventually came out triumph to take the series 2-1. It was another case of India managing to stage a comeback after being pushed back.

India will go into the series knowing that England are in red-hot form in the ODIs, having just whitewashed Australia 5-0 last month. What the hosts will acknowledge though is that the opposition is a lot tougher than a side which was missing many of its regular starters.

While India didn't miss the services of Jasprit Bumrah in the shortest format of the game, it remains to be seen if they find an able backup for him. With pitches suiting run-scoring, the contest is more likely to be between the batsmen from the two sides.

Before the series begins, let's have a look at the players to watch out for:

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#1 Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma will want to carry his good form into the ODIs

It was here in England, back in 2013 that Rohit Sharma's cricket career took a giant leap during the ICC Champions Trophy 2013. The move to open the innings with him was a masterstroke as the talented opening batsman broke records for a living. His growth in the 50-overs format has been nothing short of phenomenal.

His numbers though took a beating after a poor series against South Africa. He scored only 170 runs in the series with 115 coming in one of the ODIs. With competition heating up for batting in the top three of the Indian batting line-up, Rohit Sharma will know that he can't afford to take anything for granted and ensure he maintains his supremacy at the top of the order.

There were talks about Rohit batting in the middle order which would allow Lokesh Rahul to open the innings but the century against England albeit in T20I, opening the batting must have surely put that idea to rest.

#2 Lokesh Rahul

Rahul has begun his first tour of England well.

After being dropped from the Indian squad after a disastrous series against Sri Lanka where he failed to adapt to the new batting position in the middle order, the Karnataka batsman has forced his way back into the side on the back of the stupendous Indian Premier League 2018 season for the Kings XI Punjab.

He showed his range in the first T20I against England and will be the one to watch out for in the ODI series. It will be interesting to see where he bats in the side since Virat Kohli was more than happy to bat at No. 4 in T20Is. Rahul though will know that he has to make sure he makes most of the chances.

#3 Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav was the star performer for India in the first T20I against England

Kuldeep Yadav has made rapid strides in his short international career so far. His spell against England in the first T20I was enough proof of what he can offer to the national side who have made their support for wrist spinners far more prominent than finger spinners ever since the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 debacle.

He has taken 39 wickets from just 20 games so far at an astonishing average of 20.02, going at an economy of just 4.80.

Kuldeep was dropped from the third T20I after a poor show in the second and that will remain his biggest challenge. Wrist spinners often go for runs but also bring you roaring back with wickets, Kuldeep will have to ensure he puts in enough good performances to not let anything change the mind of the captain and the selectors.

#4 Joe Root

Joe Root will want to pull things back in his favour by scoring a lot of runsAfter

Touted as one of the top four batsmen in the world of cricket along with Steven Smith, Kane Williamson and Virat Kohli, Joe Root's reputation has taken a bit of a dip in the last few years. He had a forgetful time during the Ashes earlier and in 21 ODIs since the ICC Champions Trophy last year, Root has only hit a solitary century. He has got plenty of starts but hasn't been able to make the most of them.

Having compromised his favoured position of Number 3 in ODIs to Alex Hales, it seems as if even the magical three-figure mark has been eluding him. Hailed as one of the best players of spin bowling, Root's knocks in the middle overs will be crucial to England's chances in this series.

#5 Jonny Bairstow

Jonny Bairstow has been in fine touch for England

The Yorkshire-born batsman has been in the form of life ever since he has got the opening slot for the England ODI side. Four of his six ODI centuries have come in the last eight matches which speak volumes about the mental space Bairstow is in.

It has been his ability to play orthodox cricketing shots to make the most of the PowerPlay that has set him apart from the rest. There aren't many innovative shots but he gets the job done for England.

Against a side missing their key bowler in Jasprit Bumrah, England will expect plenty of runs from the bat of Jonny Bairstow which helps them get a good start.