We are getting a clear picture of the ODI World Cup where the hosts are currently at the top of their game and scored another win on Sunday against England.
A low-scoring affair between England and India in match number 29 of the World Cup at Lucknow was a surprise as both teams carried a good depth in their batting lineup both teams struggled in front of the pace attack and the spin department struggled to make an impact.
The rivalry between India and England in ODI World Cup cricket has been a captivating saga of skill, passion, and history. Dating back to the inaugural Cricket World Cup in 1975, these cricketing giants have engaged in memorable battles.
However, the year 2023 World Cup has not been good for England as they are now almost out of the picture from the semi-finals. The defending champions have not done their job well and now they are at the last spot in the point table.
India vs England – Match Report
England won the toss and chose to ball first and as the game began, it looked like England was in control of the match and it would be a major win for Jos Buttler and his men.
India batted posted a score of 229/9, with Rohit Sharma (87) and Suryakumar Yadav (57) being the top scorers. England's bowlers were disciplined and didn't give away many easy runs.
The early demise of Shubman Gill (9 off 13), Virat Kohli (0 off 9), and Shreyas Iyer (4 off 16) was the moment when England regained their confidence and had momentum in the match.
It was the partnership between KL Rahul (39 off 58) and skipper Rohit Sharma that gave much-needed stability to Team India. Suryakumar Yadav’s innings were also crucial but he failed to score a fifty by just one run.
From England’s side, David Willey picked 3 wickets at an economy of 4.50. Chris Woakes and Adil Rashid picked up 2 wickets each. At the end of India’s innings, the bowlers did their job well and it was now the responsibility of England’s batting unit to play calmly and score an easy win.
However, In reply, England got off to a bad start, losing 4 early wickets of Dawid Malan and Jow Root to Jasprit Bumrah and Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes to Mohammad Shami.
Surprisingly, the middle order also failed to construct a partnership and take the team closer to the winnable score. England's middle order collapsed and they were bowled out for 129 in just 35 overs. India won the match by a comfortable margin of 100 runs.
From India’s side, Mohammad Shami outshined again and picked up a 4-wicket haul at an economy of 3.14. Jasprot Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav picked up 3 and 2 wickets each respectively.
Rohit Sharma was named the Player of the Match for his brilliant captaincy and batting performance. He scored a crucial 87 runs at the top of the order, which helped India post a competitive total. He also led his team from the front in the field, marshaling his bowlers expertly.
What to Expect against Sri Lanka?
India and Sri Lanka will face off in the 33rd match of the 2023 ODI World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on 2nd November.
It is a must-win match for Sri Lanka, who have lost their first four matches of the tournament. India, on the other hand, are unbeaten so far and will be looking to continue their winning streak.
India has a very strong team on paper. They have a well-balanced batting line-up with a mix of experience and youth. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul are all in excellent form. India also had a very good bowling attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj.
Sri Lanka's main strength is their batting line-up. Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, and Dhananjaya de Silva are all very talented batsmen. Sri Lanka also has a few experienced bowlers in their ranks, such as Lahiru Kumara and Dushmantha Chameera.
Wankhede is a batting paradise and we expect a high-scoring game between the two rivals. A good partnership between Shubman Gill & Rohit Sharma will be expected with some brilliant knocks from Virat Kohli.
Kusal Mendis & Charith Asalanka are also in good form and they will be eyeing to help their team win by scoring a big number.
