India and England begin their T20 World Cup preparations in earnest with the hosts set to test themselves against a top side and the visitors getting a taste of conditions.
Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports.
England have won five of their last six T20Is and come into the series off the back of a 3-0 sweep in South Africa. India won their last T20I series, played in Australia, 2-1 claiming the series with back-to-back wins.
India vs England | Friday 12 March 2021 | Motera Stadium, Ahmedabad | 15:30
To Win Match
India 67/100
Tie 25/1
England 5/4
India
There will be a hint of regret in India as the first T20I played at the largest cricket stadium in the world, will take place behind closed doors.
Leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy failed a fitness test on the eve of the series putting his international future in doubt, but India remain well-stocked in their spin-bowling department with allrounders Axar Patel and Washington Sundar available to augment the talents of Yuzvendra Chahal.
Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan look set to renew their fruitful partnership as openers although we might see a fair amount of experimentation and a fluid batting order in this series.
After a superb IPL Ishan Kishan looks set to get some India game-time although he is unlikely to keep wicket with Rishabh Pant about.
England
England’s batting should be stitched together by Dawid Malan, whose success in T20I cricket belies his seemingly sedate batting style.
Adil Rashid will be a key bowler from an England point of view. He will be tasked with taking wickets through the middle overs while paceman Jofra Archer is expected to bowl with the new ball and at the death.
Sam Curran is England’s ace in the deck, with his last IPL outings proving how influential he can be in the T20 format.
Joe Root is absent and Alex Hales’ time in the international wilderness continues affording opportunities for batsmen to push for places in the T20 World Cup squad.
Verdict: India 67/100
India hold the advantage on their own patch.
