Expect fireworks when No.1 England take on No.2 India in the five-match T20I series that begins today in Ahmedabad. With the T20 World Cup set to be held in India in October this year, the series assumes extra importance for the hosts. The Telegraph lists the key players and sums up the points to ponder for India.
Watch out for
Hardik Pandya
The Baroda cricketer complements his swag at the crease with fearsome hitting power. He scorched the park in the last IPL — 281 runs at a strike rate of 178.98 — and followed that up with a good show in Australia too. But will we see Hardik the all-rounder in this series? If Hardik resumes bowling, the balance in the Indian team will surely be better.
Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant File Picture
Just a few months back, Pant was considered not good enough to be in India’s T20I squad in Australia. Cut to the present, Pant is perhaps the most precious player in the team. He tamed Australia in Australia, shredded the England attack to pieces and even humbled the mighty James Anderson with an audacious reverse-ramp shot. What next from Pant?
Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav File Picture
The most improved batsman in the Indian set-up. One gets the feeling that it will not be long before Suryakumar makes his India debut. At IPL 2020, the 30-year-old right-handed batsman amassed 480 runs at a strike rate of 145.01. With his ability to play shots all around the ground and good match awareness, Suryakumar could be the vital cog in the middle order.
Question hour
Virat Kohli File Picture
Shikhar factor: Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul are India’s first-choice openers. But is India missing a trick by ignoring Shikhar Dhawan? Is there a way of accommodating both Rahul and Shikhar in the XI? A big stage performer, Shikhar can be a force to reckon with in home conditions.
At the 4-front: Who is the best bet at No.4 in the batting order? Shreyas Iyer may still get a few more games and if he fails, it will be Suryakumar Yadav’s chance. But what if both fail? What are the other options India have? This series might provide an answer.
Fretting over fitness: The newcomers in the team, it seems, are not as aware about fitness as their captain. Varun Chakravarthy has already been ruled out of the series, while there is uncertainty over T. Natarajan and Rahul Tewatia’s availability. Not an ideal scenario when the idea is to try out new combinations.
Head to Head
• India 7 n England 7
Last 10 T20Is (overall)
• India: Won 9 Lost 1 • England: Won 7 Lost 2 NR 1
Match starts
7pm
