Advantage England in revenge series (Preview)

Memories of humiliating tour to England would be still fresh in Indian players’ mind. Not a single game was won against outstanding English side across all three formats. Courtesy whitewash in the test series, England dethroned India from top position in the ICC rankings, and, also gave them a real pasting in t-20’s and ODI’s as well. Simply, India were no match for England on the tour and were outclassed in all three formats of the game.

India wouldn’t get better chance to take revenge of the thrashing as England are in India to play five match ODI series. The hosts will be keen to turn the tables this time around and make a strong statement that one bad series doesn’t make them a bad side. On the other hand, Alistair Cook led English side will be upbeat to continue their dominance over India.

You don’t need a genius to guess kind of pitches the hosts will offer to England. Low turning tracks is where India would want to make life difficult for English batsmen. England batsmen, over the years, have shown their fragility against a turning ball, and India, should believe they have an edge over their opponents in that regard.

For India skipper MS Dhoni, injury problems haven’t subsided yet. He will continue to miss three match winners-Sachin Tendulkar, Virendar Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh-in the batting lineup and bowling attack is even weaker. Spearhead pacer Zaheer Khan and Munaf Patel are yet to recover, and, Harbhajan Singh’s poor form has meant Dhoni will miss his experienced off-spinner’s services as well. The Indian captain will have to be contend with young team again. Never short of talent, though.

Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina and Dhoni himself make a strong batting unit. Ajinkya Rahane and Parthiv Patel are favourites to open the innings and Ravindu Jadeja should fill in the all-rounder’s spot in the eleven. Barring Praveen Kumar, bowling department lacks big names. In the hindsight, stage is set for young Indian fast bowler to make his mark. Much talked about Varun Aaron- considered fastest bowler in Indian domestic circles-is all set to make his ODI debut. In Harbhajan’s absence, R Ashwin will be the lead spinner, and, if India go with two spinners, leggie Rahul Sharma should make the cut.

England, too, have some premier men missing in the fast bowling department.: Stuart Broad misses out with an injury and James Anderson thanks to England’s rotational policy. World’s best off-spinner Graeme Swann in the ranks should make tourists feel good about their chances on turning tracks. He will be either partnered by Samit Patel or promising leg-spinner Scott Borthwick. Tim Bresnan, Steve Finn and Jade Dernbach should complete the fast bowling unit. Slow Indian pitches will be a big test for English pacer who want ping the ball short in their pursuit to unsettle the batsmen.

The spotlight though will be on star batsman Kevin Pietersen. With many talented young batsmen staking their claim for a spot in the team and Pietersen struggling for the runs in this format, the series could well decide the batsman’s future in the ODI outfit. Pietersen, being Pietersen, has all the game to lift himself to glory when chips are down. In addition to Pietersen, the tourists have enough class in the batting to help their side to surmount Indian challenge. Young Jonathan Bairstow, who started his ODI career with a match winning knock against India, will be one to watch out for. His fearless approach to the batting makes him a special talent.

England can claim to have edge over India for being more settled side than their opponents. The hosts would be banking on its spin attack and home conditions to make get off to a winning start in the series. Whatever, Cook’s men will have an advantage over their opponents thanks to their recent form and dominance over India.

England Squad: Alastair Cook (capt), Jonathan Bairstow, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Scott Borthwick, Tim Bresnan, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn, Craig Kieswetter, Stuart Meaker, Samit Patel, Kevin Pietersen, Graeme Swann, Jonathan Trott, Chris Woakes.

India Squad: MS Dhoni (capt & wk), Gautam Gambhir, Parthiv Patel, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Varun Aaron, Umesh Yadav, Vinay Kumar, S Aravind, Rahul Sharma, Manoj Tiwary, Praveen Kumar.