India vs England, Headingley, 5th ODI: India look to complete whitewash

Series already in their pocket, a rampaging India would look to keep the foot on the pedal and press for a clean sweep when they take on England in the fifth and final ODI in Headingley on Friday.

In a remarkable turnaround following their humiliation in the preceding Test series, India have called the shots in the ODI series, in which England have struggled to match the visitors be it in batting, bowling or fielding.

Both Ravi Shastri and Mahendra Singh Dhoni will look to end this series on a winning note. And they should be successful in their bid because England haven't really put up a worthy challenge in any of the matches.

To make matters worse, their captain Cook doesn't want to accept that selection or strategy is at fault in this defeat. This claim is despite the fact that they have been very reluctant to play both Moeen Ali and James Tredwell together in the same eleven. Opener Alex Hales has been found out already against the in-swinging delivery. The middle-order is in shambles despite ian bell moving down to number three and he is unavailable for the last game due to the toe injury that forced him to miss the last game as well.

In effect, this has meant easygoing for the Indian bowlers. Time and again, Dhoni has stressed that his bowlers - especially the medium-pacers need to get better in the death overs when the opposition has wickets in hand.

If there is one big positive to come out of this series for the line-up, then it is in the new opening pairing of Ajinkya Rahane and Shikhar Dhawan. Dhoni had hinted that going ahead it could mean that Rohit Sharma - when he returns - will possibly bat at number four.

If that is true, then India in their ongoing preparations for the World Cup need to strengthen their middle-order once again. Rahane moving up means they have one less option. Ambati Rayudu has done well in the limited opportunities afforded, but the think-tank will do well to give Sanju Samson a run-in as well.

This dead-rubber also gives India a chance to rest Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammad Shami and present Umesh Yadav and Karn Sharma a much-wanted go at the opposition.

However, in the past, the India team management has been very reluctant in handing out rest to over-worked bodies. It remains to be seen if the newly-appointed director of cricket will have a say and bring about a change this time around, particularly keeping the 2015 World Cup in mind.