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Contrasting batting approach to lock horns in the series-decider

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Last updated on 27 Mar 2021 | 11:55 AM
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Contrasting batting approach to lock horns in the series-decider

Both sides have questioned each other’s differing batting methods

The Test series was alive till the last match, so was the T20I series and now the ODIs are set up nicely for series-decider on Sunday (March 28). Much like the T20Is, the ODIs too have lived up to the expectations. There have been plenty of runs on offer, 300-run totals seem to be a given and the bowlers from both sides have struggled. 

What is really exciting is the way both sides have questioned each other’s differing batting approach. In the first ODI, India shot England down for 251 after conceding an opening stand of 135, putting their carefree style under the spotlight. In the second ODI, England, with that same carefree approach in the middle-overs, razed down a total of 337, thus shifting the pressure back on India’s risk free approach in the middle-overs. Now, it remains to be seen which approach wins the tie-breaker on Sunday. 

The underlying bowling woes

Both sides have struggled with the ball in this series but for India, the issues go far back. The home side just cannot find a wicket with the new ball. Since 2020, India have a bowling average of 168.8 runs per wicket in the first 10 overs, easily the worst amongst all countries including Zimbabwe, Nepal and the USA. 

The Indian pacers have been bowling well in the Powerplay this series but there is no stopping Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy. “I think we started off really well with the new ball but still England found a way to get a 100 run partnership”, said India skipper, Virat Kohli after the game. This has evidently put pressure on the spinners due to which India have been struggling as a bowling group. Hardik Pandya not bowling has restricted India to only five bowling options.

On the contrary, England are starting well with the new ball but are tipping off as the innings have progressed. Though Eoin Morgan and Jos Buttler, England’s captain in the first and the second ODIs respectively have stated that they were happy to restrict India to the eventual totals, it was possible because of the good work done earlier in the innings. During the death overs, England have an economy-rate of 11.9 runs per over. 

Tom Curran has conceded 92 runs in his seven overs at the death (economy 13.1) and is better than only his brother Sam, who has leaked 43 runs in his three overs during this phase (economy 14.3). Both sides have areas to address with the ball while the focus will be on the batting. 

Importance of toss

In a contest between bat and bat, it is generally the side batting first which is at a disadvantage. There is no safe total and there is always the case of going hard or going too slow. For Kohli, who has not won the toss since the second T20I, he will hope the coin flips in his favor. There is little doubt that the side winning the toss will opt to bowl first. 

Probable XIs

There is little to no help for the spinners in the MCA Stadium. As a result, spinners have only two wickets to show for their effort, out of the 25 to fall in the series. While England may continue with Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali due to a restricted 14-man squad and the option to go to Ben Stokes, it will be interesting to see if India  play both Kuldeep Yadav and Krunal Pandya, with Yuzvendra Chahal and Washington Sundar on the bench. 

Being an off-spinner, Sundar can be a good match-up against Stokes and Dawid Malan. He will deepen the batting resources which may prompt India to go harder during the middle-overs. India can also go for a four-man seam attack and a solitary spinner.

India: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (c), KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav/Washington Sundar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shardul Thakur, Prasidh Krishna

England: Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, Dawid Malan, Jos Buttler (c/wk), Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran/Tom Curran, Mark Wood, Adil Rashid, Reece Topley 


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