England vs India 2018: Five things England should do ahead of the second ODI

India won the first of the three One-Day Internationals against England at Trent Bridge, Nottingham in the most clinical manner chasing down a score of 269 in just 40.1 overs to take a 1-0 lead.

There was no doubt about who set the game up for India. It was the spin and guile of Kuldeep Yadav which had the hosts reading the wrong book once again as the left-arm spinner went onto create history, register the best figures for any spinner against England in ODIs.

His 6 for 25 was well backed by a superlative century by Rohit Sharma which broke the chase completely. Shikhar Dhawan gave India a quick start and then Rohit combined with his favorite batting partner in Virat Kohli to put India on course for a clinical win.

England have very little time to turn things around as the second game is not too far away and here we look at the five things England can do to improve their chances ahead of the second ODI at Lord's.

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#1 Tackle Kuldeep Yadav better

The English batsmen were no match to the spin and guile of Kuldeep Yadav

It sounds as predictable as it is but the secret to ensure they beat India and keep the pressure on them is to find a way to counter Kuldeep Yadav. They can use any number of machines to simulate the bowling of the Indian spinner but nothing helps like facing him out in the middle.

They need not look too far back for the same. After losing the first Twenty20 International, they batted very positively and were successful in transferring pressure back on the left-arm spinner. The one hammering meant Kuldeep was not played in the decider of the series which should give the hosts a huge sigh of relief.

Kuldeep has been a key figure in India's resurgence as an ODI side under Virat Kohli and if they manage to counter the threat from him, it will go a long way in helping them wrest control of the game for long and keep the series alive.

#2 Attack Hardik Pandya more

Hardik Pandya fields during the first ODI

That India have been able to win convincingly without the services of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah speaks volumes about the ability and temperament of the side. One major factor for the same has been the contribution from Hardik Pandya.

The all-rounder has been able to chip in with overs time and again which has meant that India have been able to get away with some cheap overs. India had to resort to the bowling of Suresh Raina after Pandya was hit around and therein lies England's chance. If they can be more aggressive against the Baroda all-rounder, Virat Kohli will be forced to look at other options.

#3 Be more aggressive against the Indian openers

England struggled to put pressure on the Indian batting line-up in the first ODI

India are a team which relies heavily on its top order to do the bulk of the scoring for them. That one of the top three has scored a century in eight of their last nine games, tells you how reliant they are on the top order.

England's new-ball bowling so far has been anything but threatening. England are a side which goes after the bowling right from the word go but not India. They showed in the second T20I that they can use the local knowledge to their advantage and can keep the Indian batting line-up quite. With the series on the line, they need to be more aggressive against the Indian top order and let the middle order feel more pressure.

#4 Get Joe Root to play his game

England v India - One Day International Series - Trent Bridge

The talismanic England batsman has not been in the best of forms in international cricket. In his last 10 completed innings in an ODI, he has crossed the 30-run mark only twice. England have a plethora of options and increasingly, the reliance on Joe Root seems to be diminishing with the likes of Jonny Bairstow showing consistency. The competition is increasing with time with Alex Hales scoring as well at the Number three position (when he played against Australia).

That though does not mean there is no scope for Root in the ODI side. He is a quality player and despite having been made to look ordinary by the Indian wrist spinner so far, he will back his game to come good as England are struggling to cope with the web spun around by Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav.

#5 Unleash The Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes kicks the turf on a disappointing day on the field for England

Ben Stokes is a mercurial character and loves to be in the thick of things al the while. He was ruled out of international cricket due to a hamstring injury and the rustiness showed in the first encounter against India.

He scrapped his way to a 103-ball 50 but showed that he was up for the fight even when he wasn't at his best. India have seen his potential in the Indian Premier League and will be wary of the English all-rounder coming good against them.

England need to find a way to ensure that Stokes is in the right frame of the mind and given the freedom to express himself since he could turn the game and series on its head. Whether he does it or not, only time will tell.