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| Edited By: Pranav Joshi |Source: DNA webdesk |Updated: Sep 29, 2017, 05:13 PM IST
The tables have completely turned from the time England blanked India in the last three Tests to win the series 3-1. India have come back strongly in the ODI series, winning Games 2 and 3 after rain washed out the first ODI.
India are 2-0 up in the 5-match series and a victory at Edgbaston will seal the series for them. If India win, it will be their eighth consecutive win in England and the first victory in a bilateral series since 1990.
India's resurgence has come about in part as a result of the improved form of their batsmen, but in particular the arrival of Suresh Raina, who has scored a century and a 42-ball 42 in two games. Rohit Sharma is out injured but Ambati Rayudu stepped up to the plate at Trent Bridge, scoring a match-winning 64.
India's spinners have also had a good time so far, with R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja pulverising the England batting like they could not do in the Tests. The biggest worry for England though, is how comfortably India have won their two games. They won the second ODI by 133 runs on D/L method, bowling out England for 161 after posting 304. In the third ODI, India restricted England to 227 before knocking off the runs in just 43 overs.
Alastair Cook's series started with doubts raised about his form and captaincy. The doubts will soon be raised again now that England cannot win this series. Worse though, if England lose either of the remaining matches, they would have extended a 2-year streak of not winning a home ODI series.
England's worries are concentrated most in the middle overs where their batsmen seem unable to get going, despite fluent starts to the innings. This is an old problem for England and reflects the fact that they have failed to evolve as an ODI side from the 1980s and early 90s eras. There is a Kevin Pietersen-sized hole to contend with for ever, given how un-English his batting approach was, but that ship has long since passed.
India's only real worry right now is the lack of form from Virat Kohli. Kohli scored 40 in the third ODI, his highest score of the tour so far. While he seemed to be coming back to form, another loose dismissal means confidence in him is yet to be restored.
However, India should expect a much tougher challenge from the English in the last two games. Resting on shallow laurels might just lead to a turnaround on a tour where India's redemption is yet to be completed.
England (probable) line-up: Alastair Cook (captain) Alex Hales, Ian Bell/Gary Ballance, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan, Moeen Ali, Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper), Chris Woakes, Steven Finn, James Tredwell, James Anderson
India (probable) line-up: Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni (captain and wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Mohit Sharma/ Umesh Yadav
