Nine games were always supposed to be part of India’s run from the ODI World Cup to the Champions Trophy. That’s just the way the modern game works; it’s not that there aren’t enough. Only one-third of them are left.

In fact, India will play their first home ODI since the World Cup when they take the field in Nagpur, capping a 14-month break. They enjoy playing and marketing in this manner at home, so it’s an abnormally extended pause, but times are what they are. Additionally, the lack of build-up ammunition for the Champions Trophy, particularly at home where there is more room for improvement, gives the three-match series against England more significance. Even in a busy cricket schedule, the match is fascinating enough to stand alone.

Given that they begin in Vidarbha rather than Motera, where they famously lost the World Cup title to Australia in front of a record crowd, the timetable is a little more lenient for India. It won’t stop spectators from waiting in line outside Nagpur’s stadium gates, though. When Rohit Sharma’s squad returned home with the T20 World Cup in hand, just seven months after their defeat in the 50-over format, the excitement for India’s pursuit of an ODI trophy spilled into the Marine Drive. If anything, the November 19 loss has just heightened their desire for the trophy.

Expect India to give it their all in this ODI series, which serves as both a precursor to the ICC event a.nd a postlude to yet another T20I series that has reaffirmed that the next generation is prepared and just around the corner. The Champions Trophy is their opportunity to break their drought.

When: 1:30 PM IST on Thursday, February 06, 2025

Location: Nagpur’s Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium

What to anticipate: There isn’t much you can infer from Nagpur’s average first-innings score of 246, given that the city hasn’t hosted ODI cricket in six years. In the meanwhile, the big-hitting has changed quickly.

India has won two of their last three games there while chasing. It’s interesting to note that captains have chosen to bat first in three of the last five games played here, but tactfully, this dates back to the 2011 World Cup.

Day-time temperatures can peak above 45 degrees Celsius in Nagpur but this isn’t one of those months. Expect temperatures around 32 degrees when the teams line up for the anthems but with minimum temperatures hanging around 18 degrees, the dew is likely to come in and have a say.

Team Updates

India

The team will be populated with well-known players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and Kuldeep Yadav, along with Ravindra Jadeja and Rishabh Pant, who will have to contend with some rivalry for slots. Varun Chakaravarthy has been named to the ODI team, but like Yashasvi Jaiswal, who is probably going to be the backup opener, he is unlikely to start right away unless there is an injury.

For the first time since the World Cup, Mohammed Shami, who returned to the national team in the T20I series, is anticipated to don the ODI colors. Since Mohammed Siraj was dropped and Jasprit Bumrah is only available for the third ODI, it would be intriguing to see how Arshdeep Singh, who had a strong series in South Africa, fills in. Watch Hardik Pandya, who rejoins the ODI team following the World Cup.

India will have to choose between Axar Patel, who was promoted to T20I vice-captaincy and is regarded as a pivotal player during India’s transition, and Ravindra Jadeja, who has a strong ODI record against the England batsmen. Additionally, which batter interrupts the flow of right-handers at the top—Rishabh Pant, who would allow only one of KL Rahul or Shreyas Iyer to play, or Washington Sundar, who has useful offspin?

The probable starting lineup : consists of Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Virat Kohli, Washington Sundar, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel / Ravindra Jadeja, Rohit Sharma (C), and Shubman Gill (VC).

England

With the exception of Joe Root’s comeback, which is expected to be a huge help for a team that has been a little unsure against spin, even in favorable batting conditions, the ODI team looks a lot like the T20I team. His presence will undoubtedly help players like Jacob Bethell, Jamie Smith, and Harry Brook.

Although England will have access to Root’s spin, their lineup will once again be dominated by pace, with Jofra Archer and Mark Wood putting India’s hitters through their paces.

Brook, who averaged 28 in six ODIs in India, will have a point to prove among the bats. It will be intriguing to see how England’s hitters approach the middle overs because, at least in Nagpur, Varun’s mysterious spin is unlikely to be a problem.

Probable XI: Phil Salt (wk), Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c), Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood

Did you know? : Mohammed Shami has dismissed Jos Buttler five times in nine ODIs Harry Brook averages 71 since the 2023 World Cup

What they stated

We only participated in three ODI matches as a team after that [ICC World Cup 2023]. A long run was not given to us. We have been doing well in the World Cup the past two years, assuming you exclude the final. Therefore, I believe that the guys who are now present are doing a good job. Therefore, it is regrettable that domestic performers are not being given a position. However, removing current players only because others are competing in the domestic circuit would be unfair to them. Building a reliable team will be impossible if you do that. Shubman Gill, the vice captain of India