England vs India, 2nd ODI - India Predicted XI

Team India crushed the English side in the first ODI of the three-match series this season. Coming in to the game, the visitors were high on confidence as they had won the T20I series. However, many pundits reckoned that team England have an upper hand when it comes to the ODI format of the game. As things panned out on the day, it was a rather one-sided affair in India’s favor in Nottingham.

Now, after a short break, the action moves to the Mecca of Cricket – Lord’s – for the second ODI. The stakes would be high in the game. England will be playing for survival, while the Indian team would be itching to register a historic series win. The Indian team were thoroughly dominant in the first game and would want to extend their dominion on the tour.

On the other hand, the bruised English side could pretty well turn out to come up with a strong comeback. In order to combat a potential strong comeback from the hosts, team India needs to get their combinations and permutations right for the game. Here we take a look at the side that is mostly likely to feature in the second ODI for India.

Here is the India Predicted XI for the Lord’s ODI:

Openers (Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan)

Team India openers, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan, look in a sensational form at the moment. Rohit was the star performer with the bat at Trent Bridge. He now has two consecutive tons to his name on the tour. The veteran cricketer would want to make the most out of the good start that he has had in England this season.

Meanwhile, Shikhar Dhawan would be keen to get going in the second ODI. It was Dhawan’s brisk start that set the tone for the Indian runchase in the first ODI. The way he attacked the opposition new ball bowlers in the powerplay was commendable. He, however, has been guilty of throwing away his wicket. He would want to convert his good start to big scores now.

Middle-Order (Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Suresh Raina)

The Indian middle-order looks very strong on paper. Skipper Virat Kohli announced his arrival in fine fashion in the previous game with a breezy 75. Kohli has been in a tremendous form in the fifty-over format of the game. He will be desperate to score his first century of the tour.

Meanwhile, another man who has been in top notch form this season has been KL Rahul. Prior to the team’s arrival in England, KL Rahul had expressed his desire to feature on the Lord’s Honors Board. This will be his chance to make an impact and get the coveted wish fulfilled. He already has a century to his name on the tour and would want to extend his good run of form.

Veteran batsman Suresh Raina was picked ahead of the likes of Dinesh Karthik and Manish Pandey in the first ODI. He did not get a chance to bat in the game. He is likely to retain his place in the side. Raina gets a look in ahead of Karthik and Pandey because of his bowling skills. He contributed with a maiden over in Nottingham ODI.

Wicketkeeper (MS Dhoni)

MS Dhoni did not get a chance to bat in the previous game. But he continues to be a key player in the side. He was constantly involved in the decision making throughout the course of the first ODI. Behind the stumps, his work with the gloves looked brilliant. He took a very good catch to see Jos Buttler head back to the pavilion in the first game.

All-rounder (Hardik Pandya)

Hardik Pandya had a rather quiet outing in the first ODI. Pandya was expected to be a key player in the game. He did not get a chance to show his prowess with the bat in the game. And with the ball, he looked very ordinary. Despite this, the all-rounder will be confident of doing well because of the form that he has been carrying in the last few games.

Spinners (Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal)

The Indian spinners wreaked havoc in the first ODI. Kuldeep Yadav proved to be the wrecker in chief in the match as he scalped 6/25 in the game – the best ever figures for a left arm spinner. Kuldeep will hope to continue his good form in the second ODI. It is worth noting that he had made a similar start in the T20I series as well. However, he had failed to back up his five-wicket haul with a good show in the next game back then.

On the other hand, Yuzvendra Chahal would be itching to make an impact on the tour. He is yet to come up with a complete show. He had a decent outing in Nottingham. Chahal, however, was slightly on the non-economical side of things in the game.

Fast bowlers (Bhuvneshwar Kumar/Siddarth Kaul, Umesh Yadav)

When the action kicks off in London, all eyes would be on the Indian pace attack. Bhuvneshwar Kumar missed out on featuring in the first ODI owing to an injury concern. There has been no clarity over his fitness for the second game either. However, he has a good chance of recovering in time to make it for the game. If he fails to recover, Siddarth Kaul is likely to get an extended go. Kaul made his ODI debut in the first ODI and did not have a great time with the ball.

Meanwhile, the second pacer in the lineup is certainly going to be Umesh Yadav. Umesh got the ball to swing in the powerplays and looked quite impressive. He also showed exemplary skills with the old ball in the final overs. He managed to run through the English tail in the previous game.

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