Cuttack, Feb 8 (UNI) Buoyed by a clinical performance in the series opener, India will look to seal the three-match ODI series when they take on England in the second match at the Barabati Stadium here on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the visitors will be eager to bounce back and keep the series alive.
After securing a comfortable victory in the first ODI at Nagpur, India enter the contest with momentum on their side. However, concerns remain over skipper Rohit Sharma’s form, as his return to international cricket has not gone as planned. With just two games remaining before the ICC Champions Trophy, the opener will be keen to rediscover his touch.
“I just want us to keep ensuring that we do the right things as often as possible. There is nothing specific that we want to achieve. We just want to check all the necessary boxes in terms of bowling, batting, and other aspects,” Rohit stated ahead of the match.
Young pacer Harshit Rana, who impressed on debut in Nagpur, will look to build on his performance. Although England’s openers put him under pressure early on, he staged a strong comeback, picking up three key wickets to restrict the visitors to 248. His battle against England’s top order will be a key factor in the second ODI.
India’s batting order could see a change, with Virat Kohli’s availability remaining uncertain. The veteran batsman missed the first ODI due to a sore knee, and his participation in this fixture is yet to be confirmed. If he returns, the team management will face a tough call on who to leave out, as Shreyas Iyer, who replaced him, scored a fluent half-century in the successful run chase.
“As we all know, unfortunately, a player got injured, and then I got the opportunity. But I kept myself prepared. I knew that at any moment, I could get a chance,” Iyer remarked, reflecting on his performance.
England, on the other hand, will be eager to stage a comeback. Their batting faltered in the series opener, and they will need a stronger effort from their middle order. The visitors will also rely on their bowlers to contain India’s formidable batting lineup, which chased down the target with ease in Nagpur.
