Image Credit- ICC
One of the most anticipated matchups of the 2023 ODI
World Cup was India vs England. Ultimately, the hosts and pre-tournament
favourites are facing the reigning champs. But no one had anticipated that by
the time this game rolled around, England would be clinging on by the barest of
threads.
England is squatting close to the bottom of the points
table after winning just one of their last five games. Every particle in this
cosmos must work in their favour if they are to go to the knockout stages from
here. There are just too many possible outcomes.
It appears that England has already taken the
necessary actions. They have experimented with every one of the original
squad’s fifteen players, played carelessly, and even started three of the five
games without their vice captain. It’s not worked at all.
Conversely, India appears to be the most well-rounded
team. They are the only team in the competition that has won five straight
games. Even though they were without their most valuable two-in-one player,
Hardik Pandya, they managed to defeat their archenemy, New Zealand, at the ICC
tournaments.
The way India gets started is crucial to their
success. Jasprit Bumrah has been imposing his will with the ball, registering
an astounding economy of 2.90 in the first ten overs, while Rohit Sharma has
been setting the tone in the powerplay with a strike rate of 134.01.
India will take the top slot back if they win
tomorrow, putting England even closer to elimination. Hardik, however, is
currently sidelined as he heals from an ankle injury. And that means, once
more, entering the game with just five elite bowlers. Maybe that’s the reason
Suryakumar Yadav, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill were flailing their arms in the
nets.
Mohammed Siraj was one of the most deadly ODI bowlers
in the world going into the World Cup, having taken 30 wickets in 14 matches in
2023. He was hitting the ball every third over and had a 4.91 economy rate. But
he hasn’t looked well thus far in this World Cup. In his five appearances, he
has taken just six wickets at an economy of 5.90. When Hardik returns, Mohammed
Shami will be a fierce rival for his spot if he keeps playing this way.
Jos Buttler has also fallen short of the standards,
much like his squad, and he has come to terms with it. Buttler, who is regarded
as one of the most potent white-ball hitters, opened the competition against
New Zealand with 43. However, his subsequent scores have been 20, 9, 15, and 8.
His leadership has also come under scrutiny, particularly the choices he made
to bowl first against South Africa and Afghanistan. Does he still have it in
him to spur a change of heart after all the unwelcome attention and criticism?