ENG vs IND: India’s Probable XI for the ODI series against England

The Indian Cricket Team is ruling the cricket world currently with almost fifty international-level cricketers in their army. The depth of this team is scary for the other cricket-playing nations. India have reached numerous milestones in international cricket in the last few years. They have produced some miracle performances as a team.

The men in blue have been in a tremendous space for a good amount of time now. The young Indian cricketers have impressed not only the former Indian cricketers but all the cricket aficionados all around the globe. The team is a perfect blend of established and experienced cricketers with young and fearless cricketers. It is a no-brainer that this team will reach many more peaks.

The mighty Indian team is currently touring England and they have not played a lot of ODIs in recent times but they would still be a threat to the English team. Rohit Sharma will lead the side in the series starting from Tuesday 12^th of July 2022. The series is going to be a cracker as the top two teams will lock horns with each other.

Here’s a look at Team India’s probable playing XI for the ODI series against England:

1. Rohit Sharma (c)

The captain of the Indian Cricket Team in all three formats would hopefully be opening the innings for India in the ODI series. Rohit has been among the top openers in world cricket for more than a decade now. He loves the ODI format the most. He is one of the senior players in the team and is a pillar of the Indian batting lineup. Indian team would hope for some sort of magic from his bat.

The HITMAN will be one of the biggest challenges for the English bowling lineup. He tested positive for COVID-19 just before the rescheduled Test match but now he has been tested negative and is all set to lead India once again. The English bowling lineup in white-ball cricket is new and inexperienced, so stopping Rohit won’t be that easy for them.

The Mumbai cricketer has experience of playing 230 ODIs for India scoring 9283 runs at an average of 48.6. He has scored 29 ODI centuries including three double centuries. He also holds the record for the highest individual score in ODI cricket, he scored 264 against Sri Lanka. He is a master of batting in white-ball cricket and his fans would want him to score big in this series.

2. Shikhar Dhawan

The elegant left-hander is likely to accompany Rohit Sharma as an opener in the ODI series. He is being considered by the selectors for the ODI format only which shows how good he is in the format. He has a lot of experience opening the innings for India in ODIs. He along with Rohit Sharma form a solid opening pair that can explode any bowling line-up in world cricket.

The 36-year-old has a great record in England. He is best in the things that he does and is someone who can score runs consistently. It is said that the wrong side of 30s is the right side of experience and it suits perfectly on Shikhar Dhawan. Hopefully, he will show everyone what he is capable of doing with the bat, he will be a key player for India.

The southpaw has been playing for India since 2010, so he is aware of every condition and scenario of cricket. He has played 149 ODIs for India scoring 6284 runs at an average of 45.54. The left-right combination of Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma as openers is very dangerous for any opposition in world cricket.

3. Virat Kohli

The modern-day great, Virat Kohli might not be in his best form recently but he is a world-class player. Virat has been India’s number three in ODIs for more than a decade. He is the backbone of the Indian Cricket Team in all three formats of the game. If Virat shows even 20% of what he once used to be then the England team might get in some trouble.

Despite not being in good touch for months, King Kohli is still the third-ranked ODI batter in world cricket. He averages almost 60 in ODI cricket. He is probably the best we have seen. Be it scoring runs with a high strike rate or playing the role of an anchor, there is nothing that Virat can’t do. Virat defines why it is said that the form is temporary and class is permanent.

The run machine has represented India in 260 ODI matches scoring 12311 runs at an average of 58.07. He is the leading run-scorer in ODIs among the active cricketers. Virat has scored 43 ODI hundreds which is the second-most in the history of ODI cricket.

4. Shreyas Iyer

One of the most exciting players of the Indian unit, Shreyas Iyer has earned his place in the Indian Cricket Team due to his sheer hard work and talent. Iyer is a naturally aggressive cricketer who can play big shots at his will, India needs a batter exactly like him to play at number four. He has played some fantastic knocks for India.

Shreyas made his ODI debut for India in 2017 and he has been in and out of the playing 11 since then as India keeps on experimenting for the number four position. Iyer has the potential to give India a break from these experiments. He is yet to achieve so many things in international cricket and he has the potential to be one of the best.

The 27-year-old has played 26 ODIs for India scoring 947 runs at an average of 41.17. He scored a brilliant century in New Zealand. He is an interesting talent and will surely win so many matches for India in the future. Suryakumar Yadav is another option for India for the same role but Shreyas might have an edge over him.

5. Rishabh Pant (wk)

Rishabh Pant has now become a permanent member of the Indian team due to some of his brilliant performances. He has been one of the most celebrated cricketers in recent times. India needed a wicket-keeping batter after the retirement of MS Dhoni and Pant seems to be the perfect substitute for him. He has made a name for himself.

The 24-year-old is yet to prove himself in ODIs and this series can be a breakthrough series for him. Pant is a fearless cricketer who loves to play his high-voltage shots. The English bowlers would surely plan a lot to stop Rishabh Pant from smashing them.

The Delhi cricketer has played 24 ODIs for India scoring 715 runs. His role would be very crucial and he might also have the liberty of smashing the bowlers from the very first ball that he faces. Rishabh Pant will give India a left-hand option in the middle-order as India doesn’t have many left-hand middle-order batters.

6. Hardik Pandya

The Kung Fu Pandya is back in the Indian team and he has marked his comeback in style. His ability to slog from the first ball after he takes the guard is very crucial for India. After he was handed over the captaincy of Gujarat Titans, we have seen a completely new Hardik Pandya.

The charismatic all-rounder is reliable with the ball too. He can provide much-needed breakthroughs to India with his handy seam bowling. Having all-rounders like Hardik gives any team a balance and most teams crave for this. Hardik is a great fielder too; he is one of the best among the ones India have. This series will also mark Hardik’s comeback to ODI cricket.

Hardik has played 63 ODIs for India scoring 1286 runs at an average of 32.97. He bats with a strike rate of 116.91 in ODI cricket. He has also picked up 57 wickets with the ball in hand. Hardik Pandya can play a massive role in the swinging conditions of England.

7. Ravindra Jadeja

India’s premier all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is India’s biggest match-winners across all three formats. He is one of the most experienced players in the squad. Jadeja has played a lot of cricket in England and his presence can prove to be a huge blessing for the men in blue. He can win matches with the bat, with the ball, as well as in the field.

The southpaw has been in tremendous form in recent times. The way he has improved his batting is commendable. His persona as a cricketer suits number seven the best. He will have the responsibility to finish the innings alongside Hardik Pandya. His tricky orthodox left-arm spin can also play a big counterpart in the series.

The experienced campaigner has been playing for India since 2009. He is fully aware of all the scenarios and situations. He has played 168 ODIs for India picking 188 wickets and scoring 2411 runs. He has 13 ODI half-centuries to his name. He is a valuable cricketer and a match-winner. He will have a huge role to play for India in the ODI series.

8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar

The king of swing will probably have the biggest role to play in the England series. When it comes to swing bowling, India does not have any better option than Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Bhuvi holds a lot of experience in international cricket. He will be a challenge for the English top-order with the new Duke ball in hand.

The medium pacer’s biggest flex is his economy rate. He is very miser while bowling. Making runs is never easy against him as he is very clever. He rarely makes mistakes in his line and length. Alongside his quality bowling, he is a reliable lower-order batter too. He can come in handy for India with the bat if needed.

Bhuvi has been an important member of team India in white-ball cricket for a decade now. He never fails to impress everyone while bowling. He is brilliant in the death overs too. He has all the variations that come in handy while bowling in the slog overs. He has the experience of 121 ODIs in which he has scalped 141 wickets at an average of 35.11.

9. Mohammed Shami

Just like Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shami is an important member of the Indian bowling attack too. He is counted among the top fast bowlers in world cricket currently. The amount of skill and discipline this bowler has is not a cup of tea for most of the bowlers. We always see a fresh Mohammed Shami every time he comes and bowls.

The Bengal pacer has been a key member of team India for many years. He has all the traits that a good fast bowler should possess. He is effective both with the old ball and the new ball. He has been around for years and knows how and where to bowl to get rid of the batters.

Mohammed Shami has picked 148 wickets in 79 ODIs at an average of 25.63. He is among the leading wicket-takers for India in the history of ODI cricket. He has the ability to bowl with the same speed throughout the game. Shami’s bowling is very pleasing to the eyes, as he never fails to impress his fans.

10. Jasprit Bumrah

The leader of the Indian pace attack is bursting onto the scene nowadays. He deceives the batters like no one else. Most of the top batters have confessed that Bumrah is the toughest bowler to play. The batters rarely take risks against him as he doesn’t give a single chance to batters. He is one of the most important players for the Indian Cricket Team.

The aggressive fast bowler has won so many games for India since his debut. In a very less amount of time, he has become the leader of the Indian pace attack. He is probably the best death bowler in white-ball cricket currently. His yorkers are like Lazor-guided missiles which are almost impossible to play.

The 28-year-old has played 70 ODIs for India and has picked up 113 wickets at an outstanding average of 25.42. He bowls with an economy rate of 4.66 in ODI cricket which is considered way too good. The English batters will have to make special plans against Bumrah’s bowling.

11. Yuzvendra Chahal

Yuzvendra Chahal is the best spinner that India have in white-ball cricket currently. His tricky leg spin itself is a very big challenge to play. With his clever and skilful bowling, he has made a name for himself. He was brilliant in India’s last ODI series in England. He knows how to bowl on the pitches of England and can be fatal for the English team.

The leg-spin wizard is a match-winner in shorter formats. He has played 11 ODIs in England in which he has 14 wickets to his name. Spin is going to play a big role in the middle-overs in England and India have a gem in the form of Yuzi as he is going to be India’s trump card in the series.

The Haryana spinner has claimed 104 wickets in 61 ODI matches for India including two five-wicket hauls. He is known for breaking partnerships. The batters often get trapped in his web of variations. The Englishmen will surely not take him for granted as they are aware of how dangerous Chahal can turn out to be.