India’s win over England in the first ODI of their three-match series was so flawless and dominant that the line-up used will increasingly be seen as the strongest team that can be produced for the 50-over format, especially in the bowling department . Ahead of the second ODI, the question will be whether coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma want to continue the momentum and field their strongest squad, or take the opportunity to rotate and tinker with the squad. Another big question, however, will be the fitness of Virat Kohli, who did not feature in the series opener due to a groin injury.
Captain Rohit Sharma and his opening partner Shikhar Dhawan have put together an unbroken partnership of 114 unbeaten runs, and with Rohit showing flashes of brilliance and Dhawan playing in some form on his return to the national team, they need to be looked at. At No.3, if Kohli doesn’t recover from injury, then Shreyas Iyer will be persistent and Suryakumar Yadav could continue at No.4.
Read also: ‘If Kohli is fit, then you have to give up your place in the XI’: Former India batsman gives huge team predictions for 2nd ODI
Rishabh Pant will be the team’s wicketkeeper at 5 and the all-round skills of Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja at 6 and 7 add good balance to both batting and bowling.
Jasprit Bumrah proved his worth as one of the best bowlers in the world with his 6-wicket haul, and is probably the first name on the list next to the captain. Mohammed Shami proved menacing and lethal on his return to the one-day team, taking 3 wickets of his own. Prasidh Krishna took his own wicket and should retain his place after a brilliant start to his international career. Yuzvendra Chahal is set to play as the main spinner, meaning India will go into Lord’s with a largely if not completely unchanged squad as they try to seal a series win and give themselves a spin in the third match at Old Trafford.
India vs England Predicted XI, 2nd ODI
openers: Rohit Sharma (c), Shikhar Dhawan
Top and middle order: Virat Kohli/Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (Weekly)
Power hitters: Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja
Tempo options: Mohammed Shami, Prasidh Krishna, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya
Spin options: Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravindra Jadeja
India Predicted XI for 2nd ODI vs England: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli/Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Prasidh Krishna, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal
