Everything you need to know about the England vs India 1st ODI at Edgbaston.
Table of Contents
The Big Three Return Now
Cricket fans have been waiting for this day, as India battles it out with England in the very first ODI match at Birmingham. Following consecutive T20I defeats against Ireland and England, the Indian cricket team is in dire need of a morale boost.
The reinforcements have arrived for the visitors in the form of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah. The big three are expected to provide India with the much-needed stability and oomph.
This upcoming ODI clash is of utmost importance considering the World Cup qualifiers that are due to take place in fifteen months.
Can India Overcome Travel Blues?
Travel blues have become a significant problem for this current Indian lineup. If one looks at the team’s record, they have lost three out of the six bilateral ODI series that they have played, with the majority of those taking place in Sri Lanka and Australia.
The visitors are now on their way to England, where the pressure on the Indian management to devise the right formula is at its peak. Hardik Pandya’s absence means that the lower middle order and the bowling combinations require some serious rethinking.
England Will Protect Their Edgbaston Fortress
Speaking of England, they have batted at home and on their favourite pitch. Edgbaston has become an almost invincible fortress for them in limited-overs cricket. The hosts have posted seven consecutive wins at Edgbaston in ODIs, dating all the way back to 2015.
England has had a brilliant T20I series win over India, wherein they applied relentless pressure on the tourists’ batsmen right from the beginning. The hosts are expected to do the same in this ODI series opener, given the kind of conditions that they are familiar with.
Joe Root Anchors The Hosts
Although England may look to play aggressive cricket, Joe Root is the man who anchors the hosts’ batting. The middle-order batsman has been in superb form this year, scoring the second-highest number of runs for England.
With a brilliant average, Root has been the linchpin in England’s innings since the beginning of the year. He has an excellent technique against seamers and spinners, preventing the collapse of England’s innings.
If there is one player who can help England post a competitive total at Edgbaston, it is Joe Root. The Indian middle-order batsmen will have to get rid of him at the earliest opportunity to silence the noisy home crowd.
Bumrah Packs The Power Back Into The Indian Attack
The most anticipated comeback in this match is that of Jasprit Bumrah. The fast bowler has had to wait a long time before being able to bowl in an ODI match, considering that it has been 968 days since he last bowled in a fifty-over game.
Jasprit Bumrah is expected to fill in for Mohammed Siraj, who is currently unavailable for this cricket series. Bumrah is sure to grab the spotlight with his deadly yorkers and his fiery opening spell against the new ball and the opening pair.
The first ten overs of the match at Edgbaston will provide for a box-office treat, with the new ball being bowled by Bumrah and the two openers from England.
The Pitch Conditions Are Ideal For A Good Uninterrupted Game
Everything seems to be for the game to commence on time. The weather forecast predicts no rain, which is music to the ears of the travelling fans. When it comes to the pitch, Edgbaston is known to provide a good fight between the bat and the ball.
England’s seamers are expected to get a decent amount of movement in the first ten overs. Once the pitch has been batted around, it will offer ideal striking conditions for the top-order batsmen.
The Final Verdict On This Cricket Match
Both teams have come out all guns blazing, as the ODI series between England and India has begun. India is determined to move past their travel blues, whereas England is looking to fix their own bilateral ODI series woes.
This is one of the best rivalries when it comes to Test cricket. However, the ODI matches see the likes of the game’s best players facing each other. The side that manages to stay at the crease during the first ten overs with the bat in hand will secure the victory.
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