Xtra Time Web Desk: After the thrilling finish to the T20I series at Ahmedabad, the focus now shifts to the three match ODI series between India and England starting at MCA stadium in Pune on Tuesday. Virat Kohli and his boys will take on the reigning 50 over World Champions England in a high octane ODI series. While the hosts will look to start the ODI series on a winning note, England too will be eager to live upto their reputation of being the No 1 ODI side of the world.
The series is going to be extremely important for India opener Shikhar Dhawan who has failed to find favours from the team management in T20 format. He did play in the first T20I against England as Rohit Sharma was rested but failed to make an impact. With the management having plenty of options in (Shubman Gill) and outside (Prithvi Shaw and Devdutt Padikkal) the squad for the opening slot, it will be a litmus test for the left hander to prove himself in the lung-opener. It will be interesting whether he is preferred over Shubman to open the batting for India with Rohit Sharma. The ODI format gives Dhawan the time he needs to build his innings. With loads of experience under his belt, the Delhi batsman could well return to form come Tuesday.
For the Indian team, the series would be an extension of its preparations for the T20 World Cup later this year.
The 50-over-format, in general, remains low priority in 2021 with no major tournaments around the corner.
Skipper Virat Kohli was back among the runs in the T20 series against England and he would look to carry the momentum into the ODIs. It has been a while since Kohli scored a hundred in the format, his last and 43rd one coming against the West Indies (114 not out) at Port of Spain in August 2019.
Focus will also be on KL Rahul, who was dropped from the last T20I against England. It will be a tossup between Rahul and Shreyas Iyer, with the later being in excellent run of form. Wicket keeper batsman Rishabh Pant is expected to bat at No 5 followed by Hardik Pandya. There is a case for Suryakumar Yadav as well to be included in the playing XI considering his recent form in T20I series.
The bowling attack is expected to be spearheaded by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who picked four wickets in the T20 series, and the new ball will be shared by Shardul Thakur. Thakur claimed eight wickets in the T20 series. Spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Washington Sundar are expected to be preferred over Krunal Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav.
Also, a fit-again Pandya would be the fifth bowler, but it remains to be seen how many overs he can bowl.
All the three ODIs will be played at MCA Stadium, Gahunje behind closed doors due to the fresh surge in COVID-19 cases.