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England will look to bounce back strongly in the series against India after losing the first ODI at Edgbaston by six wickets. The second ODI takes place at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on Thursday, July 16. Shubman Gill-led India will want to double their lead and bag the series with a game to spare. In this article, let’s take a look at how India could line up in the second ODI.
India’s Predicted Playing XI vs ENG, 2nd ODI
Top-order: Shubman Gill (C)/Ishan Kishan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli
Shubman Gill’s fitness and Rohit Sharma’s form are two areas of concerns for India heading into the second ODI. The Indian skipper had to retire hurt in the first ODI after clutching at the back of his right leg. However, reports suggest that he should recover in time for the second ODI. Ishan Kishan could come into the line-up if India decides not to risk Shubman, who scored a crucial 80 in the first game. Meanwhile, Rohit is averaging just over 30 in ODIs this year. He would like to make an impact on Thursday. Virat Kohli, on the other hand, was dismissed for just five. His contest with Jofra Archer, who dismissed him in the last game, would be intriguing to watch.
Middle-order: Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube
Shreyas Iyer, meanwhile, played a handy knock of 35 before getting run-out in the last game. He is going to be a key player for India on Thursday. KL Rahul suffered a rare failure in ODIs in the last game and would want to come back emphatically in Cardiff.
Spin-bowling all-rounders Washington Sundar and Axar Patel were brilliant on Thursday. Both of them stitched an unbeaten 121-run stand to take their team to victory. Axar also contributed massively with the ball, bagging his first-ever ODI four-for. Shivam Dube didn’t get to bat but bowled decently and dismissed the dangerous Will Jacks.
Bowlers: Gurnoor Brar, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna
Gurnoor Brar continued to impress the cricket fraternity with his brilliant bowling skills. He dismissed both the England openers in one over. Jasprit Bumrah bowled a tight spell, giving away just 31 runs in nine overs and picking up one wicket. Meanwhile, Prasidh Krishna finished with figures of 2/50 in his 10-over spell.
India’s Predicted Player XI:
Shubman Gill (C)/Ishan Kishan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Gurnoor Brar, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna.
FAQs
When and where will the match be played?
The match is going to be hosted at the Sophia Ground in Cardiff on Thursday, July 16.
What could be a winning score in this match?
Any score below 300 could be difficult to defend as the pitches at Sophia Ground are generally very good for batting. The powerplay overs will be crucial for both teams. If the openers can see the new ball out, runs would be much easier to score.
Which Indian player can make the biggest difference?
Rohit Sharma can be the player to make the biggest difference. He has played only one ODI at the venue and scored a half-century in it. Rohit is also the leading run-getter for India in ODIs on English soil. After getting out early in the first ODI, he will want to make an impact in the second.
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