India vs England: 4 Reasons why England start as favorites in the T20I and ODI series

India is travelling to England for a full tour which comprises off 3 T20Is, 3 ODIs and then 5 Tests. The last time India travelled India to England they lost the Test series but won the ODI series 3-1. The only T20I in 2014 was won by England. When India travel to England most of the times, they play the Test matches first and then the limited overs internationals. However, this time, it's the other way round.

The limited overs leg is scheduled first and then the Tests are to be held in August. Right now England is the No.1 ODI side and going in their territory for the shorter formats is going to be tough for India. This England side has a totally different mindset. After the 2015 World Cup, they changed their approach towards white-ball cricket. They have a fearless mindset and will keep coming hard at the opposition and will look to score runs or take wickets irrespective of the situation. They don’t follow the traditional way since the embarrassing loss in the 2015 World Cup. This change in attitude helped them achieve the No.1 ranking in the ODI format. So, let’s have a look at 4 reasons why England starts as favourites in this limited-overs leg.

4. Home Advantage

The English conditions

favor

batsmen as they keep piling the runs

In cricket, home advantage is a big plus. Not only because of the home support but also as the home team can make pitches which suit them. We have often seen that the pitches favour the home side more. Similarly, England will dish out some flat wickets because that is their strength.

Their strength is not those pitches where the ball stops or turns but the pitches which offer absolutely nothing to the bowlers. If we have a look at the ODI series against Australia, 3 out of the 5 ODIs there were scores in excess of 300 out of which one was the highest ever international score of 481-6! The pitches will be more or less of the same kind against India which will favour England and hence this reason is slotted in at No.4 on this list.

3. Change in mindset

The early exit from the 2015 World Cup forced England to change their mindset

Before the 2015 World Cup, England had a traditional approach in the white ball format. Their players were not allowed in the IPL and many other leagues around the world. They weren’t ready to accept that the shortest format is here to stay. But after the embarrassing loss to Bangladesh in the 2015 World Cup, there was a total change. The early exit from the 2015 World Cup forced England to change their mindset. Since the appointment of Andrew Strauss, everything has changed.

They brought in dynamic players like Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, and Ben Stokes and allowed the players to participate in the IPL. Stokes and Butler were benefitted hugely from the experience in the IPL. The batsmen are encouraged to play their natural game irrespective of the situation. They have brought in bowlers like Liam Plunkett and Mark Wood who can take wickets in the middle overs. This change in approach has served them beautifully as they have topped the ICC ODI rankings. Hence the change in mindset is one of the reasons for England to start as favourites.

2. Team Balance

Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali bring great balance to England team

England has attained the perfect team balance due to their all-rounders. The team balance might be disturbed a little bit in the T20Is considering that Ben Stokes isn’t fully fit, but his presence in the ODI format will bring that balance back. England has two great all-rounders in Stokes and Moeen Ali who are equally good with both bat and ball. They have the most dynamic top 3 which includes Roy, Bairstow, and Alex Hales.

Add to that the stability of Joe Root and then the captaincy of Eoin Morgan. In addition, England have one of the best wicket-keeper batsmen in the world right now if not the best. In the bowling department, they have a wrist-spinner which is a necessity in the modern era in white-ball cricket and have genuine wicket takers in Plunkett and Wood. They bat deep down the order and have more than 5 bowling options. This team balance is definitely one of the reasons as to why they start as favourites in this series.

1. Current Form

England have whitewashed Australia in the ODI and T20I format

Looking at the current form no team would like to face England. Recently, England whitewashed Australia 6-0 in the limited overs. Any team which is in form is always dangerous. The way they are playing their cricket and dominating all the teams is something which India will have to be careful of. They have won 6 consecutive ODI series at home. Such is the dominance of the England side.

Their top 3 batsmen are in red-hot form as they just keep piling the runs. Roy, Bairstow, and Hales all average above 50 in the recently concluded ODI series against Australia. Their spinners too have been in great form as both Ali and Rashid have taken 12 wickets each in 5 games. Harsha Bhogle has said that if the World Cup was to start today then England would start as favourites to win the World Cup. Then going by his word and looking at their current form they definitely start as favourites in this T20I and ODI series.