Time in India. com in Birmingham. It has been a challenging three weeks for the Indian team in the United Kingdom. First came a 2-0 loss to Ireland, followed by a 4-0 loss to England, making for a miserable campaign. Six defeats in seven games well and truly returns to the big question. Is India unable to adapt to overseas conditions in limited-overs cricket?That question becomes more about the ODI World Cup in South Africa which is more than a year away. India’s recent run in the 50-over format will do little to assuage concerns as the team shifts focus to the ODI series in England, starting with the first match at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Tuesday (July 14).Since July 2024, India have had a disappointing record in away bilateral ODI series. 0-2 against Sri Lanka and 1-2 against Australia. This season, India also lost 1-2 to New Zealand at home.
Very different. Our thinking is that the combination for our World Cup preparation and the wickets we will get in South Africa will be the same as we will play here.
Shubman Gill
But captain: Shubman Gill insisted that this is a new format, a new day and a chance to reset. At the same time, he recognized the importance of the World Cup series just 15 months away.“It’s very different. Our thinking is that the combination for our World Cup preparation and the wickets we get in South Africa are the same as we will play here. So, we will try to find a combination that works for us. In that sense, this is an important series for us,” said Gill on the eve of the three-match ODI series opener.Talking about combinations, it will not be an easy task for coach Gautam Gambhir and skipper Gill. All-rounders Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana were all unavailable due to injuries. Even if Prince Yadav is brought in as Rana’s replacement, he may have to sit down. One of Gurnoor Brar, who looked good in three days of practice, or Prasidh Krishna could come into the XI. There was also a tough call between Shivam Dube and Washington Sundar.
Team India trained at Edgbaston ahead of their first ODI against England. (Image courtesy: Tanuj Lakhina)
If the nets are any indication, Dube bowls under the watchful eye of bowling coach Morne Morkel on the main ground. Later, Rohit Sharma chatted with the 33-year-old and appeared to offer some much-needed guidance to a player who has played just four matches since his debut in 2019.The need to keep changing combinations has become frustrating, Gill admits.“Players like this: [Rana and Reddy]we want them to play as many matches as possible before the World Cup so that they feel settled if they have a chance to play in the World Cup,” he said. “So in that sense we are a bit unfortunate because now that they are injured, we have to try another combination. The playing XI or XII that we wanted to field before the series is no longer possible. In that sense, we are forced to make some changes, but it is not an unsettled XI.
Players like Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy, we want them to play as many matches as possible before the World Cup, so that they feel settled when they get a chance to play in the World Cup
Shubman Gill
“Obviously, we want the players to gain more experience in big series like the England and New Zealand series later this year. The more opportunities the players get in high-pressure matches, the better chance they have of performing going forward.”Virat, Rohit and Bumrah stepped up for IndiaOn the back of a demoralizing run of results, it’s a pressure-cooker situation for the youngsters in the squad. It helped that they had the support of Virat Kohli, who played 311 ODIs, Rohit Sharma (285) and Jasprit Bumrah (89).
Virat Kohli trains at the Edgbaston cricket ground ahead of India’s first ODI match against England. (Image courtesy: Tanuj Lakhina)
There is an added layer of intrigue around all three. Kohli is back for the first time since the IPL final after missing the ODIs against Afghanistan due to a hamstring injury. Rohit arrived in England, where he had an outstanding ODI record, averaging 64.9 in the country, rising to 89.4 at Edgbaston. Bumrah, on the other hand, is one to watch as he makes his first ODI appearance since the 2023 World Cup, ending a gap of 968 days.When the two teams meet, a streak ends. India have beaten England in five consecutive ODIs, recording victories by margins as large as 100 and 142 runs during a run that began in July 2022. England, meanwhile, have won seven consecutive ODIs at Edgbaston since June 2015. That streak includes a tight 210-wicket victory over New Zealand, Lanka against 210 wickets, Lanka against 10 wickets. Australia and 238 runs against West Indies.For India, this series is less about the future result and more about identifying the right team combination for next year’s ODI World Cup. The first day of the road to the 2027 ODI World Cup begins at Edgbaston. Are Gill and Co. ready?