CHENNAI: The might of India’s batting will look to show its ruthless streak as the hosts seek a series-clinching victory against England in the second ODI at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Thursday.
The Men in Blue have made a habit of chasing down stiff totals with Virat Kohli the main architect of these victories.
The skipper has 17 centuries batting second, the same as Sachin Tendulkar. With the victory in the first ODI, India have now managed to chase down three 350-plus targets with Kohli scoring a hundred each time.
However, there are question marks regarding the top order, with opener Shikhar Dhawan still suffering from patchy form. Since 2015, the opener has scored 127 runs in six home innings at 21.16. With Ajinkya Rahane, who scored 91 in a practice tie, and the 19-year-old Rishabh Pant waiting in the wings, it is time the southpaw delivered.
“Dhawan is suffering from lack of confidence and lacking consistency. He needs to try and recapture the form he showed during the last World Cup. He is a match-winner for sure but the main problem with him seems to be the gap between such knocks,” former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta told Express.
“The team will not change winning combination but if he fails to capitalise on his chances this match, the management should try and look at alternatives considering this is the last ODI series before the Champions Trophy,” Dasgupta added.
MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh also failed to fire despite Pune offering a batting belter. But this may not be a concern as both have come up trumps in difficult circumstances numerous times. “Both know they occupy important slots. Both played after some time. With the target over 350, they had to go hell for leather from the start so they failed. But they will be confident of producing the goods sooner rather than later,” former India bowler Paras Mhambrey opined.
India bowlers got smashed to all parts of the ground with Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin coming in for special treatment. “The previous strip was a batting paradise and one can’t fault the bowlers all the time. They erred in length but such things are bound to happen when batsmen are at such an advantage. They should try and remain calm. Ashwin should attack instead of bowling a negative line, while Bumrah should mix it up instead of going for yorkers all the time. He has a deceptive slower bouncer and should use it,” Mhambrey added.
England will be deflated considering how their bowlers failed to hold the hosts and India should look to capitalise. The match promises to be another run fest as the strip generally favours batting. Dew could be a factor as both teams might look to bat second. “England already know what might happen if they bat first. More than dew, they will be trying to solve the Virat conundrum,” Dasgupta said.
India have won 11 of 15 games at the venue, the third most of any stadiums in the country and the Men in Blue will look to wrap up the series before travelling to Kolkata for the third ODI.
ayantan@newindianexpress.com