The first One Day International (ODI) between India and England will take place on February 6 at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. This match marks the beginning of a three-match ODI series, serving as a crucial preparation for both teams ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy later this year.
Match Preview
India enters the series with a formidable lineup, bolstered by the return of key players such as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The squad also features promising talents like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who are adding depth to the batting order. The bowling attack is strengthened by Varun Chakravarthy, who was added to the ODI squad following his exceptional performance in the T20I series against England.
Under Jos Buttler's leadership, England aims to rebound from a challenging T20I series loss against India. The team welcomes back Joe Root, who returns to the ODI setup after a hiatus, and Mark Wood, who has recovered from an elbow injury. The squad also includes dynamic pacers like Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse, who impressed in the T20I series against India.
Team News
India's Squad:
- Rohit Sharma (C)
- Shubman Gill (VC)
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- KL Rahul (WK)
- Rishabh Pant (WK)
- Hardik Pandya
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Axar Patel
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Washington Sundar
- Mohammed Shami
- Arshdeep Singh
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Harshit Rana
- Varun Chakravarthy
England's Squad:
- Jos Buttler (C, WK)
- Jofra Archer
- Gus Atkinson
- Jacob Bethell
- Harry Brook
- Brydon Carse
- Ben Duckett
- Jamie Overton
- Jamie Smith (WK)
- Liam Livingstone
- Adil Rashid
- Joe Root
- Saqib Mahmood
- Phil Salt (WK)
- Mark Wood
Weather and Pitch Report
The weather in Nagpur is expected to be warm, with temperatures around 31.8°C and a 37% chance of rain. The Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium pitch traditionally offers assistance to spinners, making it advantageous for teams with strong spin attacks. The average first-innings score is approximately 288 runs, with the second innings averaging around 258 runs. The pitch is expected to favour spinners, and the weather conditions suggest a possibility of rain interruptions.
Probable Playing XI
India:
- Rohit Sharma (C)
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- KL Rahul (WK)
- Hardik Pandya
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Axar Patel
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Mohammed Shami
- Arshdeep Singh
England:
- Jos Buttler (C, WK)
- Ben Duckett
- Joe Root
- Jacob Bethell
- Harry Brook
- Liam Livingstone
- Jamie Smith
- Jamie Overton
- Jofra Archer
- Brydon Carse
- Adil Rashid
Key Players
India:
- Rohit Sharma (C): He is a seasoned opener with over 10,000 runs in ODIs, including 31 centuries. His red-ball form might not have been great lately, but his leadership and batting prowess in this format are crucial for India's success.
- Hardik Pandya: The all-rounder brings immense balance to India's lineup due to his dual skills. He is a dependable batter in the lower middle order and an equally reliable operator with the ball in any phase of the innings.
England:
- Joe Root: A prolific batsman with over 6500 runs in ODIs, including 16 centuries, Root is expected to stamp his authority in this series. He is coming into this series after some exceptional performances in the SA20. His experience and consistency are vital for England's middle order.
- Mark Wood: A fast bowler known for his pace, Wood has taken 77 wickets in ODIs, providing England with a potent weapon in the bowling department. His pace troubled the Indian batters continuously in the T20Is, and he is looking to do the same in ODIs now.
Match Prediction: Who Will Win?
Considering the current form and team compositions, India holds a slight advantage, especially with the return of key players and the home-ground benefit. However, England's aggressive approach and experienced lineup make them formidable opponents. The outcome will depend on how well each team adapts to the conditions and executes their strategies.