India vs England: Eoin Morgan, Sam Billings doubtful for second ODI

England could be without their skipper Eoin Morgan and batsman Sam Billings for the do-or-die second ODI against India on Friday (March 26). The visitors need to win the upcoming game at any cost to keep the three-match series alive after losing the series-opener on Tuesday. India beat the tourists by 66 runs in the first ODI to take the lead in the series.

England put up a good fight with the bat early on in their chase but India eventually registered a comfortable win. Asked to bat first, India scored 317 for 5 in 50 overs thanks to fifties from Shikhar Dhawan (98), Virat Kohli (56), KL Rahul (62*) and debutant Krunal Pandya (58*). In reply, England started well and had raced away to 135 for no loss in just 14 overs thanks to Jonny Bairstow’s (94) whirlwind batting.

However, the India bowlers roared back by taking 5 wickets for just 41 runs and eventually bowled out the visitors for just 251 inside 43 overs. Debutant Prasidh Krishna starred with the ball for the hosts, taking 4 wickets while Shardul Thakur picked up three.

Eoin Morgan and Sam Billings managed to bat but are nowhere close to being fit for a match

While England will be desperate to make a comeback in the upcoming game, they might have to do it without their talismanic skipper and Billings. Both the players are currently nursing their respective injuries they sustained in the first ODI. Morgan split the webbing between his right thumb and index finger while fielding and needed four stitches while Billings sprained his collarbone joint attempting a stop on the boundary.

Both the players managed to bat but are nowhere close to being fit for a match. Speaking after the end of the match, Morgan said he and Billings were facing a 48-hour wait before a decision is made on their fitness for the next game.

“We’re going to wait a while, and then give them as much time as needed to hopefully be available for Friday. I think two different instances, obviously when you have a split webbing fielding is a concern, and with Sam obviously landing while he’s fielding, being able to play the shots that he does,” said Eoin Morgan. 

“I haven’t spoken with Sam about his batting so I don’t know in his instance. In mine, It’s never going to be at 100%, but it’s not that I can’t hold a bat,” he added.