Team India is set to compete against England at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Tuesday, July 14, in the opening ODI of their three-match series. Following a challenging period in T20Is, the Men in Blue are eager for a turnaround with the shift to a different format.
Shubman Gill will captain India in the one-day series, with Shreyas Iyer serving as vice-captain. This series will also mark the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, while Jasprit Bumrah will rejoin the squad after being rested for the T20Is due to workload management.
Several key players from England could prove to be significant challenges for India in this ODI series. Let’s explore who they are.
Harry Brook
Harry Brook, England’s white-ball captain, had an outstanding T20I series against India, emerging as the top run-scorer with 229 runs in four innings. He averaged 114.50 with a strike rate of 214.02.
Brook kicked off the T20I series with a quick-fire 39 off 15 balls in Manchester. In Bristol, during the third T20I, he smashed an unbeaten 79 off 35 balls, with eight fours and four sixes. Concluding the series in Southampton, he delivered a remarkable unbeaten 95 off 45 balls, featuring four fours and eight sixes.
Brook’s unconventional and fearless batting style left the Indian bowlers struggling for answers. He aims to bring the same aggressive approach to the one-day matches. If India fails to dismiss Brook early, he could once again pose a major challenge.
Jofra Archer
Jofra Archer was a standout performer in England’s 4-0 T20I series victory over India. In four matches, he took seven wickets at an average of 18.57 and an economy rate of 8.67. Archer’s pace and bounce troubled many Indian batsmen, particularly the young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Archer earned the Player of the Match award for his 3-29 figures in the third T20I in Nottingham, where he dismissed Sooryavanshi, Shreyas, and Axar Patel, as India collapsed for 76. He also achieved figures of 2-20 in Bristol, taking the wickets of Sooryavanshi and Washington Sundar.
Even though Sooryavanshi is not part of the ODI squad, Archer is anticipated to remain a significant threat. His encounters with Gill, Rohit, and Kohli will be pivotal, as India’s experienced batters aim to counter his challenge.
Jos Buttler
Jos Buttler, England’s seasoned wicket-keeper-batsman, had a mixed T20I series against India, struggling initially with the bat. He was dismissed for a three-ball duck in Manchester, scored 36 off 21 in Nottingham, and managed only eight runs in Bristol.
However, Buttler saved his best for last, blasting 131 off 64 balls at The Rose Bowl in Southampton. This explosive innings included 12 fours and eight sixes, leaving India’s bowlers overwhelmed during the final T20I.
Buoyed by his impressive performance at The Rose Bowl, Buttler is keen to maintain his form in the ODIs. India’s bowlers must aim to dismiss him early to avoid another challenging outing.
Edited by Renin Wilben Albert
