England vs India 2018: Five players to watch out for in the T20I series

India began their all-important tour of England with a couple of astounding wins against a hapless Ireland side who struggled to come to terms with the quality of the opposition at home. While the Indian management used both the games to give an opportunity to all the players in the squad, they will be the first to admit that tougher challenge awaits them against an England side which is smashing sides like The Hulk.

This is only the second time that the two sides will play a three-match T20I series and with both sides filled with match-winners from top to bottom. India won the previous series 2-1 at home in 2016/17 and will be looking to take the confidence of the two wins against Ireland into the England series. England, on the other hand, have not had a good time in the shortest format of the game. In the tri-series involving New Zealand and Australia earlier this year, they struggled to impose themselves and couldn't play their natural game. But their last encounter, at home, against Australia, was a timely reminder of the potential they possess with Jos Buttler firing on all cylinders opening the batting for England.

So as the team gear up for a long season in front of them, we take a look at the five players to watch out for in the T20I series which starts from July 3 at The Old Trafford, Manchester.

#1) MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni's form will be crucial for India in England

The former captain cool had his best Indian Premier League 2018 season for Chennai Super Kings when he plundered 455 runs at an average of 75.83, striking at an outstanding 150.66.

It was Dhoni's intent and eagerness to get on with the game and not go the usually slow route at the start of the innings which made everyone sit up and take notice.

Many have called it his second life and it remains to be seen if the wicketkeeper-batsman from Ranchi can live up to his IPL exploits. Five-ball innings aren't enough to judge most of the times but going how by Dhoni started against Ireland, he seems ready to launch them into the orbit once again.

#2) KL Rahul

Lokesh Rahul continued his good run of form scoring a 36-ball 70 against Ireland

Just like Dhoni, Lokesh Rahul forced his way back into the reckoning on the back of a stupendous IPL. His 659 runs in just 14 games were always going to be too much to ignore. He missed out in the first T20I against Ireland but warmed up with a 36-ball 70 in the second T20I.

Nothing makes one undroppable from the side than good batting form and Lokesh Rahul has done just that. Concentrating on making the most of the chances offered have helped him give more headaches to the captain and the selectors. Against England, it looks unlikely that he might open the batting but given his form, he might be given another go in the middle order. Will he adapt to it or will he be pushed back to be the backup opener? Only time will tell.

#3) Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav took seven wickets in two games against Ireland

The pair of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav have wrecked havoc in almost every series that they have played together and Ireland was no different. In the first T20I of the tour, Kuldeep came into the game when Ireland had a decent start. By the time he finished his spell, he had taken 4/21 and bagged the Man of the Match award.

He backed up the good show with 3/16 in the second game and against the strong batting lineup of England, his spin and guile will be a vital factor for India. Spinners don't often do that well in England (ask Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, who are now out of the side), but the wrist spin of Kuldeep could just be the answer India missed during their previous trips to England.

#4) Moeen Ali

Moeen Ali has been in good bowling form for England

Speaking of spinners, Moeen Ali has been the talk of the town ever since Australia came over for the five-match ODI series and the one-off T20I. Ali started as top order batsman who could bowl a bit but over a period of time, his bowling skills have often saved him from the axe as he gets shunned down the batting order.

India have had the prior experience of playing Ali and will want to be careful to not fall for the bait once again. While the current crop of Indian players are adept at playing spin in the limited-overs, who wins this contest could well be a deciding factor in the upcoming series.

#5) Joe Root

Joe Root knows he has his task cut out in a very competitive England setup

Hailed as one of the best talents in the world of cricket, Root has gone down a spiral in the recent past. While he has got starts in most formats of the game, he hasn't been able to nail them which haven't helped his case. The last time Root scored a fifty in the shortest format of the game was way back in 2016 which tells you all isn't well with the star English batsmen.

In a batting order full of stroke-makers, Root's role of anchoring the innings and accelerating at the side seems to be taking a backseat. The likes of Jason Roy, Alex Hales and the recent promotion of Jos Buttler means the competition is heating up for players to bat in the top 3 of the batting line-up. Root has also started to roll his arm over to give him an edge but he will know that it is the runs which will help him keep his place in the side and nothing else.