http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 -1st ODI – Match Preview
Redemption will be on India’ mind when they take on England in the first match of ODI series, which will be played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Hyderabad-c792, today, October 14, 2011.
The first half of the year was a spectacle for the Men In Blue team, winning the coveted World Cup 2011, while also claiming a Test series win against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 on their home soil.
However, what followed was an appalling Euro trip, where the Asian giants failed to achieve the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Jason-Neil-Gillespie-c66461 height and returned home winless. Not only did they surrendered their No1 rank Test status, they slipped to fifth in the ODI ranking, while losing eight key personnel through injury.
The debate about the team playing non-stop cricket rolled on, however it did little to prevent the remaining fit players to play in the Champions League T20.
While all this happened in the space of four months, the next couple of weeks will be the most crucial for the Men In Blue, who will be itching for revenge after the drubbing handed to them by the same opposition. Although the series a little short, it will give a fair reflection of where the two teams stands.
The limited overs has always been India’s greatest strength, so what better format to take revenge against their foe’s. Their task has still been somewhat made difficult with the amount of injuries in the team, seeing them still missing the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/V-Sehwag-c2739.
However, they will be welcoming back http://www.senore.com/Cricket/G-Gambhir-c1447 in the team. The left-hander has gradually found his form and his experience up front will be key.
The main worry for the hosts will be the bowling department. It has an unfamiliar look due to injuries to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Yuvraj-Singh-c98364. He usually plays the fifth bowler in the team and with him sidelined, it leaves them short of match-winners.
The key for the team will be http://www.senore.com/Cricket/V-Kohli-c2737. The top order batter had a stupendous Champions League T20 campaign and he for one will be eager to perform to his best.
Their opponents have their own agenda to adhere too, with the most important being ODI supremacy. They have not won a series in India for over two-decades and have a chance to prove their mettle in the shorter version of the game.
The team possesses a host of youngsters, the likes of Jonny Bairstow, Jade Dernbach, Chris Woakes who are touring the sub-continent for the first time, so it will be a great platform in order for them to develop and adapt to totally alien conditions.
The bowling department will be without http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Scott-Borthwick-c2466 is certainly someone to watch out for.
With the Poms travelling a week in advance, it has given the team the added time to get accustomed to the local conditions and get fully prepared.
The series will also mark the start of some new rules implemented by the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625, which includes two balls for each innings, along with abolishing the runner.
The conditions will be hot and humid, however the pitch will offer assistance to batters so one will hope for a high-scoring encounter.
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