India’s men’s cricket team is up 1-0 in the 3-match ODI series against England’s men’s cricket team. In the opening game, the Men in Blue put up a comprehensive performance. Five of six bowlers managed to pick up a wicket, and four of the seven batters managed to cross the 30-run mark. All three batters who scored a half-century remained unbeaten.
Injury concerns
However, there were some injury concerns. Shubman Gill and Gurnoor Brar both walked off the field during the India vs England 1st ODI. The tall fast bowler had bowled 9 overs and picked up 2 wickets, Jacob Bethell and Ben Duckett, but couldn’t bowl his last over.
He came on to bowl the 48th over but felt something in his right calf. He still decided to bowl and ran in gingerly before stopping midway through his run-up. The physio came out, and Brar left the field. At the moment, it’s uncertain whether he just cramped or injured himself.
Something similar happened with Gill. He was unbeaten on 80 off 75 but felt something in his right leg. Similar to Brar, it’s uncertain whether the opener was cramping or did something to his hamstring. Although both appeared fine after the match, there are doubts over their fitness as of now. India won’t want them to play unless they are 100%.
Will Kuldeep Yadav play?
India will now move to Sophia Gardens in Cardiff for the India vs England 2nd ODI. It’s a venue where spinners have done well. Adil Rashid has the most wickets at the venue in T20I cricket. Although Axar Patel picked up 4 wickets, he wasn’t India’s best bowler in Birmingham. Similarly, Washington Sundar bowled just 4 overs.
India might consider playing Kuldeep Yadav in place of Axar, Washington or Shivam Dube. The only thing that goes against the left-arm wrist spinner is India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir‘s affection for all-rounders. Kuldeep can’t bat as well as the others, and his selection will weaken India’s batting.
Moreover, Axar, Washington and Dube bowled 19.5 overs and picked up 5 wickets between them. Washington and Axar also struck half-centuries and took India home in the 259-run chase. Ideally, Kuldeep should play, but India may ignore him for batting depth.
India Playing XI for 2nd England ODI
Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (vc), KL Rahul (wk), Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar
Bench: Ishan Kishan (wk), Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav
Cricket
ICC backtracks on 14-team ODI World Cup 2027, introduces Super 7 & Super Series
