For a minute or two, traipse back down Memory Lane. It is the 2019 World Cup and England are in a spot of bother, having lost to Sri Lanka and Australia. Next up are an undefeated India. At a crucial juncture of the tournament, the Eoin Morgan-led England see off India in a high-scoring game. They don’t look back.
Four years is a long time. Although England had lost two games in a row in the 2019 World Cup, there was a sense of optimism that they could chart an escape route. In 2023, as England once again brace themselves to lock horns against an unbeaten Indian side in Lucknow, they haven’t just lost four out of their first five games but look completely bereft of confidence and ideas. The Jos Buttler-led side basically needs a miracle of sorts to qualify for the semifinals, and it doesn’t seem like we would see one.
As England slipped to another morale-sapping loss to Sri Lanka in Bengaluru, it was difficult to pinpoint the exact reason for their shocking performance in the ongoing World Cup. After winning a couple of world events, they perhaps don’t have the same hunger? Probably, they didn’t take the ODI format that seriously in the last four years? Or England made a mistake by not picking their 2019 World Cup hero, Jason Roy?
Maybe England can still salvage something from this sorry World Cup campaign by winning a few games against the top sides in the tournament. Maybe the stalwarts of the line-up – Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes and Joe Root – would step up against the hosts. As of now, it looks unlikely that England can pip a supremely confident Indian side. In sharp contrast to England’s flagging fortunes, almost all of India’s mainstays – Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul – have been making vital contributions.
The fringe players too have done their bit when called on. For instance, Mohammed Shami sat out of the first four games and, on his return to the XI, bagged a five-for against New Zealand. Is there some chink in India’s armour? Hardik Pandya’s untimely injury is one, as it affects the balance of the side. There is also a question mark or two over India’s lower order chipping in with runs under pressure. Having said all that, India look primed to win their sixth game in a row and seal a semi-final spot.
Time and Venue Details
2 PM IST, Lucknow, October 29
Expected conditions
The curator is set to use the pitch on which South Africa defeated Australia by a convincing margin. There is a tinge of grass on the surface but that is expected to be shaved off. Perhaps because of certain indirect factors, the ball has nipped around a touch under lights at this ground.
Possible XIs
India may pick Ravi Ashwin as the third spinner. But the think-tank have to ponder on whom to replace as Mohammed Shami ended up taking a five-for in the previous game. Probably, India might look at resting Mohammed Siraj, Shami’s pace colleague?
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravi Ashwin, Mohammed Shami/Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah.
When you’re under the pump, sometimes it is better to back the same team that crashed to a defeat in the previous game in order to boost the sagging morale of a set of players. England might, however, be tempted to pick Brydon Carse as he hits the deck hard from a high release and can add depth to the batting.
England: Harry Brook, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (c, wk), Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid, Chris Woakes/Brydon Carse, David Willey, Mark Wood.
Matchups
Shreyas Iyer v Mark Wood: The Durham fast bowler has been rapid through the course of the tournament, but his lines have been mostly all over the shop. However, he did bowl well in Bengaluru, but without any luck to show for his efforts. It would be interesting to see how Iyer shapes up against Wood’s hit-the-deck skills on a track where the ball could stop a bit on the batter. On a side note, Iyer has been trying to improve his batting against the short ball, as he is looking to go more back and across in the recent past.
Teams Speak
“Playing against India in a World Cup in their own country is a special part of the game. You know there’ll be a big crowd, there’ll be a wonderful occasion. We’re looking forward to that chance. I think there’s nothing more that we can offer apart from going out and delivering a top-notch performance.” – Marcus Trescothick, England’s assistant coach.
“Firstly, we don’t think of any opposition that way. Any team on the given day can be dangerous and I am sure you have covered enough cricket matches to know that there is no team that starts off as favourite in a game of cricket or in any sport. So, it’s important that we keep doing what we’ve been doing and focus on our strengths.” – KL Rahul, India’s wicketkeeper-batter.