World Cup 2019, India vs England: 5 England players to watch out for

The World Cup 2019 is all set to host one of the tournament's most awaited clashes as India will face off against hosts England on 30th June 2019 at Edgbaston, Birmingham.

The Virat Kohli-led side needs just one win to claim a spot in the semifinals while England, on the back of two losses from their last two games face a prospect of an exit from the competition if they falter against India.

Coming up against an unbeaten Indian side, England will certainly have an arduous task of producing a match-winning performance. For India, though, it will be a matter of taking in momentum into the knockout stages as the side looks confident enough, with all the departments coming together to manufacture comfortable wins.

As we gear up for an exciting clash with both teams boasting of an array of superstars, we have a look at the five England players who could enjoy a top outing against India.

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#5 Jonny Bairstow

England v Afghanistan - ICC Cricket World Cup 2019

Jonny Bairstow is a technically sound and explosive right-hand batsman who revels in the opening position at the top of the order and has made the position his own with some critical knocks.

However, barring his 99-ball 90 against Afghanistan, Bairstow has not been in the greatest of form and has 245 runs from seven matches at an average of 35.00. He has notched up just one more half-century, a 51 against Bangladesh.

With the opener looking for form, India's bowling attack could challenge him but Bairstow does have the quality which could see him churn up an important knock on the day.

#4 Mark Wood

England v West Indies - ICC Cricket World Cup 2019

Mark Wood is a right-arm fast bowler who has been associated with the England team since 2015. His alliance with Jofra Archer has seen England pile pressure on the opposition batsmen with a great exhibition of pace and bounce off the wicket.

Wood has enjoyed a tremendous run in the ongoing World Cup, with a total of 13 wickets coming from just six games at an economy rate of 5.07. His performances include 2/53 against Pakistan, 2/52 against Bangladesh, 3/18 against West Indies, 2/40 against Afghanistan, 3/40 against Sri Lanka and 1/59 against Australia.

With England preferring to go with the pair of Chris Woakes and Jofra Archer with the new ball, Wood's efficiency as the first change and in the death has been remarkable, with the pacer hitting the right areas to trouble the best of batsmen.

Against a quality batting line-up such as India's, Wood can be banked to lead the way with the ball in hand.

#3 Jofra Archer

England v South Africa - ICC Cricket World Cup 2019

Jofra Archer came into the contest at the back of some controversy but has certainly taken the competition by storm, putting up a bowling masterclass every time he has stepped on to the field.

Archer has picked up a total of 16 wickets from seven matches but more importantly has mixed up his line and length that has made scoring off him a rather tough ask.

His performances include 3/27 against South Africa, 3/29 against Bangladesh, 3/30 against West Indies, 3/52 against Afghanistan, 3/52 against Sri Lanka. He only had two unimpressive performances, 0/79 against Pakistan and 1/56 against Australia.

One of the leading bowlers in world cricket now, Archer has made the most use of the semaing conditions in England and if the conditions do suit pace bowling, the pacer could be England's X-factor against India on the day.

#2 Ben Stokes

England v Australia - ICC Cricket World Cup 2019

Ben Stokes is a genuine all-rounder and a key member of the England ODI team. In the ongoing World Cup, Stokes is England's second-highest run scorer with 291 runs from seven matches at an average of 58.20 while with the ball in hand, Stokes has six wickets from seven matches.

The burly all-rounder has made a massive impact with the bat in hand and has played the anchor's role in the middle overs while also changing gears in the final overs. Stokes has three half-centuries, an 89 v South Africa in England's opening game and yet another 89 v Australia.

His 89-ball 82 against Sri Lanka is yet another knock of prominence for Stokes while with the ball in hand, Stokes' 3/23 against Bangladesh has been his most important performance thus far.

One of the world's best all-rounders going around, Stokes will undoubtedly hold the key against India.

#1 Joe Root

England v West Indies - ICC Cricket World Cup 2019

Joe Root is a highly rated batsman and a key member of England team. He has contributed heavily to England's World Cup 2019 campaign and leads the run-scorers chart for England.

He started the World Cup campaign with a fine contribution of 51 against South Africa. Root also scored England's first century of the tournament, courtesy of his 107 against the powerful bowling unit of Pakistan, a century which was also coincidentally the first hundred of the World Cup.

He followed up with another century against West Indies 100* which effectively laid the platform for England's comfortable win. From seven matches, Root has 432 runs with an average of 72, including three fifties and two hundreds.

With Root enjoying a purple patch in this World Cup and a fantastic run against India in ODI cricket in general, his wicket will be most important for India to scalp early on.