ENG vs IND 1st ODI preview | Compartmentalisation the key as England and India put on ODI boots
India and England are set to face off in the first of three ODIs at Edgbaston, marking a shift in focus toward the upcoming ODI World Cup. Both teams are looking to reset after recent T20I struggles and personnel changes, with key players like Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah returning to the Indian squad.
Why it matters
This series serves as a critical testing ground for both nations as they rebuild their ODI squads and attempt to regain momentum following recent poor performances in white-ball cricket.
Over the weekend, a strong north-easterly breeze brought some much-needed respite to many parts of the United Kingdom reeling under an intense heatwave. On Tuesday (July 14) at Edgbaston here, the Indian cricket team will be hoping for the winds of change to blow in its direction too when it takes on England in the first of three ODIs.
Part of the lengthy build-up towards the ODI World Cup late next year in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, the ODIs had a narrow but important purpose.
Now, they have acquired the additional burden of treating the scars – rather brutal injuries – that have ravaged the team after six straight losses to Ireland and England in as many completed T20Is.
It will help that there will be a wholesale change in personnel, with ODI specialists such as skipper Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and K.L. Rahul coming in.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in