In the past four weeks, the Indian cricket team embarked on an extensive journey, covering various cities such as Bangalore, Colombo, Pallekele, Mohali, Indore, and Rajkot. Their most recent stop is in Guwahati, located in the northeastern region of India, where they kick off their World Cup campaign with a warm-up match against England on Saturday.
India arrived in Guwahati from Rajkot via a charter flight late on Thursday, and they conducted an optional training session on Friday, attended by four players, including Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan.
England, on the other hand, had a less fortunate travel experience, spending nearly 38 hours on the road to reach Guwahati from London, enduring extended layovers in Dubai and Mumbai. Despite the initial chaos, England’s travel ordeal is far from over, as they will traverse India extensively throughout the tournament, playing matches in eight different cities.
One positive aspect for England is that they will remain in Guwahati for both of their warm-up games, unlike India, who will travel to Thiruvananthapuram for their second warm-up match against the Netherlands on October 2.
England can also take some confidence from their recent success against India in ICC tournaments. They convincingly defeated India in the T20 World Cup semi-final last year, with Alex Hales and Jos Buttler leading the way. Additionally, they were the only team to defeat India in the league stage of the 2019 ODI World Cup. In response, India adjusted their strategy by retaining only one of their two wrist-spinners, Kuldeep Yadav, who has now made a comeback after two years of hard work and improvement.
Another noteworthy development is the late inclusion of Ravichandran Ashwin in the squad due to an injury to Axar Patel. Ashwin, a key player in India’s previous ICC triumphs in 2011 and 2013, has played only four ODIs in the last six years. However, his ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes him a contender for a spot in the playing XI, potentially competing with Shardul Thakur depending on pitch conditions and match-ups.
England enters the tournament following a successful series against New Zealand, where they came from behind to win 2-1, highlighted by Ben Stokes’ remarkable 182 in the final match. Stokes made a comeback to the format after discussions with the coaching staff, aiming to help England defend their World Cup title.
For England, Harry Brook, who had a mixed IPL experience earlier this year, will have an opportunity to prove his worth, especially since he was selected ahead of Jason Roy. Brook showed glimpses of his potential with a century for Sunrisers Hyderabad but faced challenges against spin later in the tournament, ultimately losing his spot in the XI. This experience, though, has helped him adapt to subcontinent pitches.
In the warm-up matches, both teams can field all 15 players from their respective squads, providing opportunities for players returning from injuries or looking to regain form. While India has some concerns regarding their batting depth after No. 7, England boasts a lineup that can bat effectively until No. 10. However, how quickly England adapts to spin-friendly conditions will be a key factor to watch as they aim to defend their World Cup crown, following in the footsteps of West Indies and Australia.%%%%%%
conclusion
the cricketing journey undertaken by the Indian team over the past month has been nothing short of remarkable, with multiple stops in different cities leading them to Guwahati, where they commence their World Cup campaign against England. The contrasting travel experiences of India and England set the stage for an intriguing tournament.
England’s recent successes against India in ICC tournaments add an extra layer of anticipation to their clash. The return of Ravichandran Ashwin and the emergence of young talents like Harry Brook add depth and excitement to the squads.
As both teams prepare for warm-up matches, the focus will be on players returning from injuries and seeking to regain form. India’s batting depth and England’s robust lineup are points of interest. Yet, the key to success in this tournament will be how quickly England adapts to spin-friendly conditions as they aim to defend their World Cup title, joining the ranks of cricketing giants West Indies and Australia. The stage is set, and cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the unfolding drama of the ICC World Cup.