India vs England 1st ODI Tips - India Spinners Clash With England’s Aggression

By Nikhil Kalro

05 Feb 2025

Nikhil Kalro 05 Feb 2025

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India begins ODI series against England with a focus on spin
Key players Kohli and Sharma return for India
England aims to improve gameplay against spin-heavy conditions

India's Varun Chakravarthy (Getty Images)

India vs England First ODI Preview
India Form
India Team News
England Form
England Team News

India vs England First ODI Preview

India begin their Champions Trophy preparation with an ODI series against England at home to round off a long white-ball tour.

India are coming off a resounding 4-1 series win against England in the T20s but the ODI squad has a new look to it, which includes the return of key players such as Virat Kohli, captain Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja.

England will be looking at this series as a tune up for another ICC tournament that is expected to be held in conditions that turn a bit with slow and sluggish pitches in UAE and Pakistan.

On this tour already, England have struggled to face quality spin against Varun Chakravarthy (who was Player of the Series in the T20s), Axar Patel and Ravi Bishnoi.

That will continue to be the narrative in the ODIs with India expected to go after England with their spinners.

The first match could be a strong chance for England to show their prowess against spin in Cuttack, where batters could have a higher chance of impacting the game.

India Form

India have no issues with their form. However, some of India’s batters are coming off a lean tour of Australia.

All eyes will be on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as they begin their final chapter of international cricket in the coming years. The other aspect to look at is the form of India’s spinners heading into the Champions Trophy.

"I think we are playing against a good side. Three ODIs and we are not taking this as a practice for Champions Trophy," Shubman Gill said at the pre-match press conference.

“I think this is a very important series for us. Every series is very important and we are looking to dominate and win this series like any other series.

"Yes, I have been given an added responsibility and I take it as a challenge to lead, firstly with my performances and then definitely in the field.”

India Team News

India could play two frontline spinners along with Ravindra Jadeja in Cuttack. Jasprit Bumrah is only expected to play the third ODI, which means Mohammad Shami and Arshdeep Singh will spearhead the fast-bowling unit.

England Form

England will be looking at various departments to step up in the ODI series, starting with their batting, which has been in woeful form.

England play a brand of cricket that suits them but often also loses them matches. That could certainly be the case against a team that can be quite disciplined in these conditions.

"Playing against India, you know you're going to be faced with a lot of spin, but I'm not worried," Jos Buttler said. "There's some really good players there and some guys having their first experiences in these conditions.

"Every day, you're learning, improving, working things out as you go along and gaining more experience and trying to accelerate that process.

"We certainly won't change the way we want to play, we need to keep backing that, be even more committed and be desperate to do well and execute that.”

England Team News

England could also play two spinners but they may back their fast bowlers as they did in the T20I series. Liam Livingstone will be the crucial spinning allrounder that England will rely on for some bowling depth.

Verdict

India v England - 1st ODI

India are a force in these conditions as was evidenced from their unbeaten run to the World Cup final in 2023. The majority of the squad remains the same, which could be an issue for England whose style of play is hit or miss in these conditions.