Team India has been completely demoralized following three heavy defeats in the Investec Test Series. But come August 25th, we should be seeing a better performance as Team India sheds its whites and wears the attractive blue jersey. MS Dhoni’s team definitely has better chances of winning in the upcoming 5-match Royal London One-Day International Series which begins from next Monday. By the way, the England ODI Squad was just named on Monday and you would have a look at it once.
After all India are the defending World Cup Champions and they have also won the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 in England. But there isn’t much freshness in the team if they pick the same players who have played in the 5-match Test Series. Most of the players in the ODI Squad have been part of the Test team although there are some fresh faces like Suresh Raina, AT Rayudu, Umesh Yadav to go along with rookies like Sanju Samson, Karn Sharma and a couple of others.
Men in Blue – Team India
India may be advised to rest Bhuvneshwar Kumar as he has tired himself out by playing in all the five Tests while carrying an ankle niggle. Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s performance has also faded terribly so much so that he was bowling well within himself at speeds of 125 kmph. The tourists should look to pick Umesh Yadav straightaway with back up in the extremely talented seamer Dhawal Kulkarni alongside Mohit Sharma. Mohammed Shami could better be rested and asked to get back to his rhythm in practice. If you are into online betting on cricket, then I advise to go for India to win this series and Umesh Yadav could be the leading wicket taker. Watch out for Virat Kohli to come good at last on what has been a horror tour for this world class batsman.
Now looking at the hosts, England aren’t a great ODI team but at home they will have an edge for sure. We could get to see Steven Finn after a long time and perhaps James Anderson could be rested following his heavy work in the Test Series. Ian Bell and Eoin Morgan will be the key figures in the middle order. A lot will be expected from the exciting pair of Alex Hales and Jos Buttler to play the aggressive style of cricket which England is not that used to with the bat.
Here is the Schedule of the England vs India, Royal London ODI Series 2014:
- Aug 25: 1st ODI at Bristol
- Aug 27: 2nd ODI at Cardiff
- Aug 30: 3rd ODI at Nottingham
- Sept 02: 4th ODI at Edgbaston
- Sept 05: 5th ODI at Headingley
Squads of the Royal London ODI Series 2014:
England Squad: Alastair Cook (Captain), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Gary Ballance, Ian Bell, Jos Buttler (Wicket Keeper), Steven Finn, Harry Gurney, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Eoin Morgan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, James Tredwell and Chris Woakes
India Squad: MS Dhoni (Captain and Wicket Keeper), Virat Kohli (Vice-Captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Stuart Binny, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Mohit Sharma, Ambati Rayudu, Umesh Yadav, Dhawal Kulkarni, Sanju Samson and Karn Sharma