ODI World Cup 2023: India vs England, Match 29 - Top player battles to watch out for

India (IND) and England (ENG) will play each other at the EKANA Stadium on October 29 in the ODI World Cup 2023. The hosts haven’t lost any game after their five encounters in this tournament while the defending champions have put up a disappointing show in Jos Buttler’s captaincy. The English team has won only one game out of five matches and its chances of qualifying for the knockouts are low.

Comparing the performances of both sides, Team India will be considered the favourites to win the contest. However, England have some players who possess the potential to stop India’s juggernaut in Lucknow. India also have exceptional match-winners who can make England’s campaign worse. In the massive encounter, some top-notch player battles might be witnessed by cricket supporters. Talking about some, let’s discuss three battles that will be worth watching.

Here are three player battles to watch out for in the India versus England contest

3. Jos Buttler vs Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin might be included in India’s playing XI against England. The 37-year-old will be expected to trap Jos Buttler in this match as he has played a lot of cricket with the England captain for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), and also understands his batting style. The India veteran has bowled 42 deliveries to Buttler in One-Day Internationals (ODIs), in which he got the better of the wicketkeeper batter twice.

2. Jonny Bairstow versus Jasprit Bumrah

Jonny Bairstow hasn’t justified his role in the England team as an opener. The right-handed batter has accumulated only 127 runs in five matches of the tournament, at a terrible average of 25.40. Bairstow will have to provide a fine start to his side against the Rohit Sharma-led team, however, it won’t be an easy task for him as he will have to be belligerent against India’s fast-bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who has grabbed 11 wickets in five matches at a thrifty economy of 3.80.

Also Check: Most wickets in World Cup 2023

In July 2022, the star bowler guided India to a comfortable 10-wicket victory against England at the Oval, picking up a six-wicket haul. Among the speedster’s six hunts, Bairstow was also one of the victims. This time, Bumrah will look to trouble England batters again.

1. Virat Kohli versus Adil Rashid  

Eyes will be set on India’s batting maestro Virat Kohli again. The India legend is in great form nowadays and his endeavours will be to dominate English bowlers and help India taste success in another game of this tournament. Kohli is currently the leading run-getter for India in this competition, with 354 runs in five matches at a sensational average of 118.00.

In Lucknow, Kohli will face Adil Rashid, who has troubled him in the last few years. Against the England spinner, the India batting veteran averages 36.00 in the ODI format. Rashid has had success in dismissing Kohli three times in ODI cricket and he will strive to dominate the India top-order batter again on the big stage. Rashid has looked decent in this tournament, thus far, clinching six scalps in five matches at a fine economy of 5.54.   

Also check: Most runs in ODI World Cup 2023