India favourites to seal series (Preview)

On alien Indian pitches, England have looked an average limited overs outfit thus far. Two matches into five match ODI series, the roles have been reversed. In their home conditions, India have dominated proceedings like England did when the former was on the latter’s tour. In both the matches, the gulf between the two has appeared more than one expected. In their backyard, India look very keen to make the tourists taste their own medicines after having to return from England without getting off the mark in win column.

As expected, English batsmen have looked all at sea against Indian spinners and their bowlers have found it difficult to contain Indian batting lineup. India won the first match courtesy their skipper MS Dhoni’s heroics with the bat followed by magic from their spin duo of R Ashwin and Ravindu Jadeja. England conceded the second match after their batting lineup was stung by quality seam bowling from Vinay Kumar and floored by a marathon partnership between Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir.

India, on their home turf, look a potent side even without their big players. Barring openers, batsmen have come to the party big time. Centurion in the last game, Kohli looks in fine touch and Gambhir’s form is getting better by the day. We know Suresh Raina in coloured clothing is a perennial danger man and Dhoni has already given English bowlers a real pasting. For India, it is matter of sustaining momentum and continue with their dominance. The hosts wouldn’t be tinkering much with the team composition. Though two back to back failures from openers Ajinkye Rahane and Parthiv Patel might pave way for Manoj Tiwary’s inclusion at the expense of one of the duo.

If India appear to be a settled side, their opponents England have lot on their platter to take care of. Their big players are misfiring, bowlers haven’t been able to find right line and lengths on India pitches and fielding hasn’t been upto the mark. Batsmen are getting starts but have failed to  play long innings and thrown their wickets at crucial junctures. Bowlers haven’t adapted to slow and low surfaces of India and haven’t come out of their obsession with short pitch stuff that worked for them so well on fast English pitches. For England to make a comeback in the series, it is high time likes of Kevin Pietersen and skipper Alistair Cook fire with the bat and bowlers make inroads in what is appearing a very strong Indian batting lineup in these conditions.

With lots to play for the tourists, team management would be tempted to go for some changes. Johnathan Trott’s inability to get big shots away should make him a candidate to be replaced by waiting in the wings and classy Ian Bell. Fast bowler Stuart Meaker should make his debut as fast bowling unit has failed to deliver. Fielding has to improve to back their bowlers and intensity has to upped in the field to show positive energy levels.

England would take heart from the venue for the next match for Mohali is fastest pitch in India and that is where the tourists might feel they can overpower the home team. Toss will be crucial for dew tends to give team batting second a real advantage.

India, in this form, are hard to beat and will go into the match as clear favourites to seal the series. Of late England have shown a knack for playing their best cricket when they have their backs to the wall. Cook and Co. would hope Thursday evening at Mohali turns out to be same.

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

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.