Why England should not get carried away after series win over Australia

England are the No. 1 ranked ODI side in the world currently and are playing like one. They have been dominant in the ongoing ODI series against Australia and are within touching distance of whitewashing their old enemy 5-0.

Since the 2015 World Cup debacle, Eoin Morgan’s side has played an aggressive brand of cricket and have progressed to the point where they are contenders for next year's World Cup, which will happen in their own backyard.

In the ongoing ODI series against Australia, England’s batsmen have been scoring big hundreds, albeit against inexperienced Aussie bowling attack, bowlers have been picking up wickets in the middle and death overs and the fielding has been extraordinary.

That has created a massive buzz ahead of the limited-overs series between England and India, which comprises of 3 T20Is and 3 ODIs. With the World Cup less than a year away, the focus will be on the ODIs as the No.1 side takes on the No.2 side in what could be a dress rehearsal for the big showdown next year.

Even though England have looked invincible in all the departments against Australia, the home side will have their task cut out against the men in blue. Here are a few reasons why England should not get carried away before the big series against Kohli’s men.

India – a settled unit

Virat Kohli's side will be a tough nut to crack

Unlike Australia, who played their first international game since the turmoil on South African shores a few months ago, India will go to England as a much-settled unit under the exuberant captain and an aggressive coach.

The team under Virat Kohli know their roles to perfection and in MS Dhoni, India is blessed to have a player in the XI with so much captaincy experience at the international level. The combination of Dhoni behind the stumps and skipper Virat Kohli has worked wonders on the field for Team India in limited overs, particularly in tight situations.

Wrist spin impact

India's spin twins have been devastating in white ball cricket

In the last year or so, Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri have preferred wrist spin over finger spin and not many teams in international cricket have the luxury of playing two in the playing XI. Left-arm Chinaman Kuldeep Yadav and leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal have cemented their spots in white ball cricket after impressive shows in the home season and also in South Africa. England will have to come up with solid plans to negate the wrist spin threat.

With two new balls in ODIs, reverse swing has almost gone out of the game and it has made life terrible for fast bowlers especially in good batting conditions. The middle overs (10-40), when only four fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle, is making the difference in ODIs and this is where wrist spinners can be wicket-taking options for a fielding captain. And India have two world-class options in that regard.

Kohli - the run machine

Kohli has been in unreal form coming into the series against England

Even though India has a very strong batting line up, England knows very well that the opposition captain Virat Kohli is the big wicket as he loves scoring match-winning knocks in white ball cricket. Although the stylish right hander is fast becoming a great Test batsman, he has already become a legend in limited overs cricket.

England lack an “out and out” fast bowler that could trouble Virat Kohli, especially at the start of his innings. Once he gets going, it is almost impossible to stop him from scoring freely. If the pitch is similar to the ones that England are playing Australia in the ongoing series, Virat Kohli will feast on it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.