IND vs ENG 1st ODI: Team India look to shake off T20I hangover as ODI World Cup journey begins

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir (left) in a heated discussion with captain Shubman Gill ahead of the first ODI against England. (Photo courtesy: Tanuj Lakhina) Tech Word News. com in Birmingham: It has been a tough three weeks for the Indian team in the UK. First came a 2-0 loss to Ireland, followed by a 4-0 defeat to England, marking a miserable campaign. Six defeats in seven matches has well and truly reignited the big question: Are India unable to adapt to overseas conditions in limited-overs cricket?The question becomes even more vexing with the ODI World Cup in South Africa just over a year away. India’s recent run in the 50-over format does little to assuage those concerns as the team focuses on the ODI series in England, starting with the first match at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Tuesday (July 14).As of July 2024, India have a disappointing record in away bilateral ODI series: 0–2 against Sri Lanka and 1–2 against Australia. India also lost 1-2 to New Zealand at home during this period.

It’s very different. Our thinking is that the combinations for our World Cup build-up and the wickets we get in South Africa will be similar to what we will be playing for here.

Shubman Gill

But captain Shubman Gill insisted that this is a new format, a new day and a chance to reset. At the same time, he acknowledged the importance of the series with the FIFA World Cup just 15 months away.“It’s very different. Our mindset is that the combination for our World Cup build-up and the wickets we get in South Africa will be similar to the ones we play here. So we’ll try to find a combination that suits us. It’s a very important series for us in that sense,” Gill said on the eve of the three-match ODI series opener.Speaking of combinations, it will not be an easy task for coach Gautam Gambhir and skipper Gill. All-rounders Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana are unavailable due to injuries. Though Prince Yadav has been brought in as Rana’s replacement, he may have to sit out. One of Gurnoor Brar, who looked impressive during the three days of practice, or Prasidh Krishna could come into the XI. There will also be a tough call between Shivam Dub and Washington Sundar.

Team India is training at Edgbaston ahead of their first ODI against England. (Photo courtesy: Tanuj Lakhina)

If the nets are any indication, Dube was bowling on the main pitch under the watchful eye of bowling coach Morne Morkel. Later, Rohit Sharma chatted with the 33-year-old and seemed to offer some much-needed advice to the player, who has played just four matches since his debut in 2019.Having to constantly change combinations became frustrating, Gill admitted.“We wanted players like these (Rana and Reddy) to play as many matches as possible before the World Cup so that they feel settled if they get an opportunity to play in the World Cup,” he said. “So in that sense we are a bit unlucky because now that they are injured we have to try a different combination. The playing eleven or the eleven we wanted to field before the series is no longer possible. In that sense we are forced to make some changes but it is not an unbalanced eleven.”

Players like Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy, we wanted them to play as many matches as possible before the World Cup so that they feel settled if they get an opportunity to play in the World Cup

Shubman Gill

“Obviously we wanted the players to get more experience in the big series like England and the New Zealand series later this year. The more opportunities the players get in high-pressure games, the better chance they have going forward.”Virat, Rohit and Bumrah support for IndiaAgainst the background of demoralizing results, it is a pressure situation for the youngsters in the team. It helps that they have the support of Virat Kohli, who has played 311 ODIs, Rohit Sharma (285) and Jasprit Bumrah (89).

Virat Kohli trains at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground ahead of India’s first ODI match against England. (Photo courtesy: Tanuj Lakhina)

There is another layer of intrigue surrounding all three. Kohli returns for the first time since the IPL final after missing the ODI against Afghanistan with a hamstring injury. Rohit arrives in England with an excellent ODI record, averaging 64.9 in the country, rising to 89.4 at Edgbaston. Meanwhile, Bumrah will be looking to make his first ODI appearance since the 2023 World Cup, ending a gap of 968 days.When two teams meet, one streak ends. India have defeated England in five consecutive ODIs, registering victories of 100 and 142 runs during the run that began in July 2022. Meanwhile, England have won seven consecutive ODIs at Edgbaston since June 2015. This streak includes emphatic 210-run victories against Srikawickets against New Zealand, 10-run wins against New Zealand, 238 runs against West Indies.For India, this series is less about the final result and more about identifying the right team combination for next year’s ODI World Cup. The first day of the 2027 ODI World Cup journey begins at Edgbaston. They are Gill and Co. ready?