India vs England, 2nd ODI As India gears up for the second ODI against England in Cuttack on Sunday, two major talking points dominate the pre-match discussions—Rohit Sharma’s continued struggles. The selection headache posed by Virat Kohli’s potential return. With a 1-0 series lead after a hard-fought win in Nagpur. The hosts will aim to clinch the series, while England will be desperate to keep their hopes alive.
Kohli’s Comeback: A Puzzle for the Team Management
Virat Kohli’s absence in the first ODI due to a sore knee stirred concerns over his fitness, especially with the Champions Trophy on the horizon. However, vice-captain Shubman Gill hinted at his return, and Kohli was seen traveling with the squad to Cuttack, looking relaxed.
While his comeback is a boost for India, it also raises a selection conundrum—who makes way for Kohli?
- Shreyas Iyer, who filled in at the last moment, delivered an electrifying 36-ball 59, making his exclusion seem unfair.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal, though promising, had a lukewarm outing in Nagpur and might be the one to sit out.
- If Jaiswal is benched, Gill will likely reunite with Rohit Sharma at the top.
The team management, led by Gautam Gambhir, has shown a preference for a left-right opening combination, so how they balance that with Kohli’s return remains to be seen.
For Kohli himself, the match serves as an opportunity to regain form, having endured a rough patch in recent months. His struggles against moving deliveries in Australia and a low score in the Ranji Trophy have put his form under scrutiny. However, ODI cricket has long been his stronghold. He stands just 94 runs away from becoming only the third player to reach 14,000 ODI runs, following Sachin Tendulkar (18,426) and Kumar Sangakkara (14,234).
Rohit Sharma’s Lean Patch: Cause for Concern?
While Kohli’s form is under discussion, Rohit Sharma’s prolonged slump is a bigger worry.
- The Indian skipper fell for just 2 runs in the first ODI, continuing his lean streak from the Test series against Australia.
- His attempted lofted shot off Liam Livingstone resulted in a tame dismissal, highlighting his desperation for runs.
- His last half-century came in August last year, making these ODIs crucial for him to rediscover his touch.
India’s Bowling Attack: Stability Amid Uncertainty
On the bowling front, India seems to have found a well-balanced attack.
- Mohammed Shami, returning to international cricket, looked solid in Nagpur, starting with a maiden over and finishing with 1/38 in eight overs.
- Harshit Rana, making his debut, had a rough start as Phil Salt attacked him early on. However, he bounced back brilliantly, dismissing Ben Duckett and Harry Brook in the same over to shift the momentum in India’s favor.
- With Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness concerns lingering, Rana could stake a stronger claim for a long-term spot if he delivers again.
England’s Make-or-Break Situation
For Jos Buttler’s England, the second ODI is a must-win match. Their ultra-aggressive batting approach backfired in Nagpur, and they might adopt a more balanced strategy in Cuttack.
- Indian spinners could prove to be the biggest challenge on what is expected to be a turning track.
- England’s ability to counter Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel could decide their fate.
Probable TeamsIndia: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill (v-c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy.
England: Jos Buttler (c), Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Philip Salt, Jamie Smith, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.
Match Timing: 1:30 PM IST
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