India keen to dust off ODI rust in final pit-stop before the Champions Trophy

• The bilateral series between India and England is of significant relevance for players, broadcasters, and fans.

• India’s 4-1 victory over England is seen as an unqualified success, but the face-off must be viewed in isolation due to the upcoming T20 World Cup.

• India played a total of three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) in 2024, a total of three 50-over matches in a 12-month period.

• The one-day version is struggling to keep pace with its revered Test counterpart and the T20 upstart.

• India’s outing to Colombo in August for three ODIs was hardly memorable due to India’s surrender and the plethora of spinners India summoned.

• Rohit Sharma, his deputy Gill, and Gambhir are concerned about Rohit’s innings and the potential absence of Bumrah.

• India’s batting struggled to crack the spin jigsaw puzzle, with scores of 230, 208, and 138 appearing more menacing than they actually were.

• As India seeks to shake off the 50-over rust ahead of the Champions Trophy, they have much work ahead of them.

India’s ODI Batters’ Future

• Rohit and Kohli, two of the world’s most experienced ODI batters, are a top priority for India’s cricket team.

• Rohit and Kohli have had disappointing Test tours in Australia, with Kohli missing the final Test in Sydney.

• India’s main desire is for runs from Rohit and Kohli, who have shown their ability to determine game outcomes.

• Rohit’s aggressive approach to his innings is of interest, as he has shifted personal glory for team gains.

• India has three games before Dubai and the Champions Trophy, with Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand as potential opponents.

• Important decisions include who should take wicketkeeping, with Rahul currently in the middle-order bat and Pant in the wings.

India’s Batting and Bowling Prospects

• India’s batting is in good hands, but their bowling is underperforming due to the absence of Mohammed Shami and Kuldeep Yadav.

• Shami has gradually recovered from groin surgery, while Kuldeep Yadav has only bowled 31 overs since October.

• Arshdeep Singh, preferred over Mohammed Siraj, is still a work in progress in the limited-overs format.

• Varun Chakaravarthy, the Player of the Series in the T20I faceoff, has been included in the squad.

• Varun has shown increased fitness and mobility in the field, making him a strong option in the middle overs.

• England’s defence of the 50-over World Cup ended in underwhelming fashion in India a year and a quarter back.

• Rohit, his deputy Gill, and Gambhir are focused on getting key pieces to rediscover their fire and familiarize themselves with a new format.

• India hopes for Bumrah’s recovery and the potential blow to their aspirations in Pakistan.