India vs England 2nd ODI Test Tips - Clinical India Eye Another Series Win against England

By Nikhil Kalro

08 Feb 2025

Nikhil Kalro 08 Feb 2025

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India beat England by four wickets in the first ODI.
Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer's partnership crucial for India's win.
England's batting strategy under scrutiny; potential changes ahead.

India and England (Getty Images)

India vs England Second ODI Previews
India Form
India Team News
England Form
England Team News

India vs England Second ODI Previews

India began the ODI series with aplomb as they brushed aside a mercurial England team by four wickets and 68 balls to spare in the opening match in Nagpur. While England stuck to their preferred style of playing, India brought out their own aggressive form to trump the visitors comfortably.

Batting first, England made a brisk start through Phil Salt and Ben Duckett but India pulled the match back with three wickets to reduce the visitors from 75 for 0 to 111 for 4. Jos Buttler and Jacob Bethell scored fighting fifties to resurrect England but the lower order collapsed again as the visitors were bowled out for 248 with more than two overs to spare.

On debut, Harshit Rana picked up three wickets while Ravindra Jadeja returned economical figures of 3 for 26 from his nine overs. Mohammed Shami, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav picked up one wicket each.

In response, England started well to pick up two early wickets, including debutant Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma in the first six overs.

But Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer stitched a 104-run stand to all but kill England’s hopes of a comeback. Axar Patel also hit a vital 52 off just 47 balls as India romped home without much hassle.

India Form

India don’t have too many headaches going into the second match of the series. There is a case for Varun Chakravarthy to get a game as India rotate their bowling options but that will rely on their objectives ahead of the Champions Trophy.

The other question India have will be to choose between KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant as the frontline wicketkeeper.

"Obviously, KL has been keeping wickets for us in the ODI format for a number of years now, and he's done pretty well," Rohit said.

"If you look at the last 10-15 ODIs, he's done exactly what the team required him to do. Rishabh as well, he's there, we've got the option of playing either one of them. Both are quite capable of winning games on their own, so it's a good headache to have.”

India Team News

Virat Kohli injured his knee on the eve of the first ODI, which ruled him out of that match. He should slot right back in to his No. 3 slot for Shreyas Iyer.

India could also look at Varun Chakravarthy instead of Kuldeep Yadav.

England Form

England have not bothered to change their preferred modus operandi of attacking with the bat. While that persistence is admirable, it’s simply not working in these conditions against a bowling unit that is accurate and disciplined.

It’s unlikely that England will change their style of batting for the rest of the series but it’s certainly an aspect of their game that needs urgent reconsideration at least.

Apart from their batting form, England look excellent in the field, particularly with their fast bowlers troubling India. Adil Rashid will be a key cog for the next month for England, as evidenced from his stifling figures of 2 for 49 in the first ODI.

England Team News

England may not change too much for the second match in Cuttack. There may be a consideration to rotate the bowlers in and out depending on workload.

Verdict

India v England - 2nd ODI

The method that England are choosing is simply not working for them in these conditions.

They have some of the world’s best batters in Joe Root, Harry Brook and Jos Buttler but these surfaces occasionally ask for respect during certain periods of a game.

India will be pleased to see the lack of respect that England’s batters are showing.