Published: Mar 18, 2014, 07:27 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 18, 2014, 07:28 PM (IST)
By Nishad Pai Vaidya
Mar 18, 2014
With numerous questions over team composition, India take on England in their final warm-up match before the super-10 round of the ICC World Twenty20 (T20) 2014 kicks off. India are coming off from a defeat in their first warm-up match against Sri Lanka, a close contest they lost by five runs. On the other hand, England were mauled by the West Indies in their warm-up match, an opposition that has been quite familiar to them in the recent past. This game is important for both sides in terms of getting their combinations right ahead of the main draw.
Indian skipper MS Dhoni did not bat in the last game and allowed the other batsmen decent hits in the middle. The reason being that Dhoni had a niggle and did not want to risk it by putting his body in the line during a warm-up game. However, if he is fit, there is a case for him to bat as he needs a strong middle-order. Dhoni missed the Asia Cup 2014 due to an injury, and that has kept him away from the game for a long time.
It is important for the other batsmen to get into some semblance of touch. Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma are at the top, and they need to spend some time in the middle. Virat Kohli batted lower down the order, and that gave Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina a chance in the top four. India may just continue to persist with this combination as both Yuvraj and Raina need the confidence with heading into the future. The duo had a decent outing against Sri Lanka and would want continue with that form.
In the bowling department, a lot of the focus would be on Ravindra Jadeja, Amit Mishra and Ravichandran Ashwin. Considering the pitch conditions, India are mulling a combination of three seamers for the main draw. Which is why, they would assess the performance of the trio. Also, Mohammad Shami, Varun Aaron, Mohit Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar would compete for two possible fast-bowling berths.
England are coming off a tough tour to the Caribbean in the T20 format. In this game, it is important for Stuart Broad, if fit, to bowl. Ian Bell, who came in as a replacement for the injured Joe Root, also did not play against West Indies in the warm-up. Bell last played a T20 match in January 2011. Perhaps that may persuade the English management to blood them in.
The English top-order seems to be well settled with Michael Lumb, Alex Hales, Moeen Ali and Eoin Morgan. Ravi Bopara and Jos Buttler form a strong middle-order, and they have the responsibility of powering the innings. Chris Jordan has also made a name for himself as a useful all-rounder, and he would be a crucial member in both departments.
England’s fast bowling would be bolstered if Broad returns. They have Jordan, Jade Dernbach and Tim Bresnan. But, one gets the sense that James Tredwell, with his off-spin would be a pivotal member in the side.
The result from this game will is inconsequential. However, it would be a morale booster for the side that wins.
Squads:
India: MS Dhoni (c & wk), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Ajinkya Rahane, Stuart Binny, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Amit Mishra, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Aaron, Mohammed Shami, Mohit Sharma.
England: Stuart Broad (c), Michael Lumb, Alex Hales, Ian Bell, Luke Wright, Moeen Ali, Ravi Bopara, Eoin Morgan, Joss Buttler (wk), Chris Jordan, Tim Bresnan, Stephen Parry, Jade Dernbach, James Tredwell, Chris Woakes.
Time: 19:00 IST | 01:30 GMT
ICC World T20 2014 Points Table and Team Standings
ICC World T20 2014 Schedule details
(Nishad Pai Vaidya is a Correspondent with CricketCountry and anchor for the site’s YouTube Channel. His Twitter handle is @nishad_44)
