India vs England 2020-21, 1st ODI preview: India aims to get off to a winning start

India and England would now engage in an interesting three-game One-Day International series. Having attained success in Tests and Twenty20 Internationals, India would now aim to win the ODIs and eye the top spot in the ICC ODI Rankings, currently held by England.

<p>As both India and England are done with the excitement of the Twenty20 Internationals, the focus would now shift to the serious version of the limited-overs format, One-Day Internationals. The first of the three-game series would be held at the MCA Stadium in Pune on Tuesday.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The series would be of utmost importance for both sides, as the number one ODI spot is at stake here, which India would be eying. Also, the hoist would be aiming to break the jinx of losing the opening game before bouncing back, as we present the preview for the opening match.</p>

As both India and England are done with the excitement of the Twenty20 Internationals, the focus would now shift to the serious version of the limited-overs format, One-Day Internationals. The first of the three-game series would be held at the MCA Stadium in Pune on Tuesday.

The series would be of utmost importance for both sides, as the number one ODI spot is at stake here, which India would be eying. Also, the hoist would be aiming to break the jinx of losing the opening game before bouncing back, as we present the preview for the opening match.

<p><strong>Current form</strong><br />As for the current form, both sides are coming off losing performances. While India lost its last ODI series in Australia, England is coming off a home defeat to Australia. While England's last overseas ODI series win was in Ireland, in 2019, India's home series win was against Australia in the same year, besides a home series loss coming a year before against Australia as well.</p>

Current form
As for the current form, both sides are coming off losing performances. While India lost its last ODI series in Australia, England is coming off a home defeat to Australia. While England's last overseas ODI series win was in Ireland, in 2019, India's home series win was against Australia in the same year, besides a home series loss coming a year before against Australia as well.

<p><strong>Team composition and combination</strong><br />As for the Indian side, it is tide batting-heavy but relatively balanced. As for this game, besides relying on its stable bowling attack, it could move in with a batting-dominated XI to produce a top total and restrict the English batsmen.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Meanwhile, England has a killer batting line-up. Although it has some opening and top-order issues to resolve, it is still strong enough to chase any total down on any wicket. Although its bowling is decent, it could yet have a tough time against the Indian batsmen, who seem determined at the moment.</p>

Team composition and combination
As for the Indian side, it is tide batting-heavy but relatively balanced. As for this game, besides relying on its stable bowling attack, it could move in with a batting-dominated XI to produce a top total and restrict the English batsmen.

Meanwhile, England has a killer batting line-up. Although it has some opening and top-order issues to resolve, it is still strong enough to chase any total down on any wicket. Although its bowling is decent, it could yet have a tough time against the Indian batsmen, who seem determined at the moment.

<p><strong>Injury concerns</strong><br />India does not have any injury concerns, with all the players raring to go. Meanwhile, England would miss out on pacer Jofra Archer's services, who is yet to entirely recover from his elbow injury and played the T20Is without adequate recovery.</p>

Injury concerns
India does not have any injury concerns, with all the players raring to go. Meanwhile, England would miss out on pacer Jofra Archer's services, who is yet to entirely recover from his elbow injury and played the T20Is without adequate recovery.

<p><strong>Head-to-head</strong><br />Both sides have played 100 ODIs to date, with India winning 53 and England winning 42. In India, there have been 48 games, with India having 31 wins and 16 losses. As for Pune, there has been just a game to date, with India being victorious in it.</p>

Head-to-head
Both sides have played 100 ODIs to date, with India winning 53 and England winning 42. In India, there have been 48 games, with India having 31 wins and 16 losses. As for Pune, there has been just a game to date, with India being victorious in it.

<p><strong>Weather and pitch report</strong><br />The weather in Pune would be partly cloudy, with the temperature likely to be around 36 degrees. Although it has a sound batting track, it tends to assist spinners later. Meanwhile, keeping the dew factor in mind, as it would be a day-night game, the side winning the toss would bowl first.</p>

Weather and pitch report
The weather in Pune would be partly cloudy, with the temperature likely to be around 36 degrees. Although it has a sound batting track, it tends to assist spinners later. Meanwhile, keeping the dew factor in mind, as it would be a day-night game, the side winning the toss would bowl first.

<p><strong>Probable XI<br />India:</strong> Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli (c), Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Bhubaneshwar Kumar, T Natarajan, Shardul Thakur and Yuzvendra Chahal.<br /><strong>England:</strong> Eoin Morgan (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Dawid Malan, Sam Billings, Jofra Archer, Sam Curran, Tom Curran/Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes and Chris Jordan.</p>

Probable XI
India: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli (c), Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Bhubaneshwar Kumar, T Natarajan, Shardul Thakur and Yuzvendra Chahal.
England: Eoin Morgan (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Dawid Malan, Sam Billings, Jofra Archer, Sam Curran, Tom Curran/Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes and Chris Jordan.

<p><strong>Fantasy XI<br />Batsmen:</strong> Kohli, Rohit, Roy- Rohit and Roy are to give the side the perfect start, considering their reliable form, while Kohli is the right man at number three.<br /><strong>Wicketkeepers: </strong>Buttler, Pant- Buttler can sneak in and perform as an opener too, who has been in good form of late. Meanwhile, Pant can consolidate in the middle and can go big in the death overs.<br /><strong>All-rounders: </strong>Pandya, Moeen, Stokes- Pandya and Stokes are no-brainers here. As for Moeen, he was handy during the Tests and looks to continue with the same momentum.<br /><strong>Bowlers:</strong> Chahal, Bhuvneshwar, Rashid- Chahal is India's best leg-spinner in the limited-overs circuit, while Rashid would support him perfectly as England's prime spinner. As for the pace department, Bhuvneshwar is likely to come in handy with his lethal seam.</p>

Fantasy XI
Batsmen: Kohli, Rohit, Roy- Rohit and Roy are to give the side the perfect start, considering their reliable form, while Kohli is the right man at number three.
Wicketkeepers: Buttler, Pant- Buttler can sneak in and perform as an opener too, who has been in good form of late. Meanwhile, Pant can consolidate in the middle and can go big in the death overs.
All-rounders: Pandya, Moeen, Stokes- Pandya and Stokes are no-brainers here. As for Moeen, he was handy during the Tests and looks to continue with the same momentum.
Bowlers: Chahal, Bhuvneshwar, Rashid- Chahal is India's best leg-spinner in the limited-overs circuit, while Rashid would support him perfectly as England's prime spinner. As for the pace department, Bhuvneshwar is likely to come in handy with his lethal seam.

<p><strong>Match details<br />Date and day:</strong> March 23, 2021 (Tuesday)<br /><strong>Venue:</strong> MCA Stadium, Pune<br /><strong>Time:</strong> 1.30 PM (IST)<br /><strong>Where to watch (TV): </strong>Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 1 Hindi (Also available in HD, along with regional languages)<br /><strong>Where to watch (Online): </strong>Hotstar</p>

Match details
Date and day: March 23, 2021 (Tuesday)
Venue: MCA Stadium, Pune
Time: 1.30 PM (IST)
Where to watch (TV): Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 1 Hindi (Also available in HD, along with regional languages)
Where to watch (Online): Hotstar