The Indian team had won the first ODI match against England very easily. After bowling out England for 258 runs, Team India easily achieved the target by losing 4 wickets. This was India’s sixth consecutive win against England in One Day Internationals. Shubman Gill Brigade would like to win the second ODI match to be played in Cardiff on Thursday (July 26) and win the series and also set the record of winning the most number of consecutive matches against England.
Before this, the Indian team has won 6 consecutive ODI matches against England thrice but it has not been able to extend this series to the seventh match. Shubman Gill Army has a golden opportunity to create history.
Shubman Gill had scored 80 runs in the first ODI played in Birmingham but due to muscle strain, he had to retire hurt and leave the field. India would be hoping for him to be fit as soon as possible. This is not the first time in recent times that Gill had to leave the field due to fitness problem. Last year, during the first Test match against South Africa in Kolkata, Gill went out of the field and had to be admitted to the hospital. Then he could not play in the remaining matches of that series.
The team management is keeping a close eye on Rohit Sharma’s form. Rohit has given up his aggressive attitude after losing the captaincy but he has not got much benefit from it yet. He has played 13 ODI matches since October last year, in which he has scored 563 runs at an average of 46.91 with the help of one century and four half-centuries. These figures are good but the current situation in the Indian dressing room has made it mandatory for Rohit to perform well in almost every match.
Rohit is now in a position where he cannot leave anything to chance as there is an option in the form of Ishan Kishan in the top order. Unlike Rohit, another senior player Virat Kohli is in a better position in terms of both fitness and statistics.
Kohli has scored 621 runs in 10 matches since October last year at an average of 77.62, which includes three centuries and as many half-centuries. Like Rohit, he too could not play in the first match but there does not seem to be any threat to his place in the team. However, he too will be desperate to play big innings in England soon.
After the win in the last match, Gill had indicated that the team management would try different combinations as per the circumstances. The pitch at Sophia Gardens often has good bounce and pace, giving opportunities to fast bowlers. In such a situation, India can include left arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh in the team in place of Gurnoor Brar.
Brar took the wickets of Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethel in the first match but gave away 61 runs in nine overs. Therefore, if the team management gives importance to experience then Arshdeep can get a place in the playing eleven. This also means that left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav will have to sit out again. Both Shivam Dubey and Washington performed well in the last match and may get another chance.
