England vs India: 1st ODI, Preview- Will India be England's next victim at Trent Bridge after Pakistan and Australia?

Over the past two years, the Trent Bridge in Nottingham has turned out to be a bowler’s graveyard. In the last four completed ODIs, the average total at the venue is an overwhelming 390. In 2016, England racked up 444 against Pakistan, the then highest score in the 50-over format. Last month, the Brits surpassed their own record and piled on a mammoth 481 against a hapless Australia.

The Three Lions will now cross swords with India at the same venue and another run-fest is speculated in the opening contest of the three-match series. The Men in Blue won two out of their five matches at the venue and both their victories came against England. In their last encounter in 2014, Ambati Rayudu’s half-century helped India chase down 229 runs.

The home team is ranked number one in ODIs and turning them over won’t be a cakewalk for Virat Kohli and Co. India were impressive in the recently concluded T20I series and the team combined as a unit to get the better of their opponents. The bowlers are expected to have another tough day in the office on a track which won’t have much to offer to them.

Toss: India won the toss and elected to bowl first

India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Lokesh Rahul, Virat Kohli(c), Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni(w), Hardik Pandya, Siddarth Kaul (debut), Umesh Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav

England (Playing XI): Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan(c), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler(w), Moeen Ali, David Willey, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood

Team Combination

England

England will make a few changes from their T20I squad. Moeen Ali was the joint highest wicket-taker in the last ODI series and he will make his way back into the team. Alex Hales has been ruled out of the game with an injury. Dawid Malan comes in as a cover, skipper Eoin Morgan comes at number four. Ben Stokes is most certainly to make his ODI comeback.

A lot will depend on how Jos Buttler and Moeen Ali bat. The bowling looks formidable. Mark Wood, David Willey, and Liam Plunkett are the fast-bowlers. It’s unlikely that Stokes will bowl many overs. The onus will also be on the spin-twin of Adil Rashid and Moeen to restrict the belligerent Indian batsmen.

India

After a resounding show in the T20Is, India won’t want to tinker much with the combination. Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma are their openers. Kohli is likely to come at number four with KL Rahul ahead of him. Dinesh Karthik may replace Suresh Raina from the shorter format. MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya’s role in the middle order will be crucial on the batting-friendly wicket.

In the bowling department, either of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Siddarth Kaul may play. The former had a stiff back prior to the third T20I and is uncertain to play the first ODI as well. Umesh Yadav is the other fast-bowler. Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal were stupendous in South Africa and they would be keen to replicate their performance.

Players to watch out for

Shikhar Dhawan- India

Dhawan might not have been in touch in the T20I series, but his numbers in the 50-over format in England is awe-inspiring. On English soil, the left-hander has racked up 856 runs in 14 matches at an average of 71.33. Moreover, he has three centuries and four fifties in the country and the numbers speak for themselves. He will again be expected to deliver at the top of the batting order.

Stat Attack

71.33- Shikhar Dhawan’s average in 14 ODIs in England.

33- Runs MS Dhoni needs to complete the 10,000-mark in ODIs.

Head to Head

Played – 96, England – 32, India – 59, Tie/NR – 5

Broadcast details– Sony Six, Sony Six HD

Live streaming– Sony LIV

Match Timings: 17:00 IST, 11:30 GMT

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