Home
The preparations for the highly anticipated ODI World Cup 2023 commenced with the warm-up matches, and hosts India will take on defending champions England in their first warm-up game, set to take place at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati on Saturday, September 29.
Both teams, although not vying for international status in this encounter, will use the opportunity to fine-tune their strategies and test their mettle against formidable opponents.
India's recent form
India's journey into this warm-up fixture comes on the back of a triumphant three-match series against Australia, which they won 2-1. However, one aspect they will be keen to address is their ability to chase substantial totals, as they faced a setback in the series finale in Rajkot when chasing a 350-plus target.
Squad selection strategy
Intriguingly, India's squad selection for this warm-up game suggests a cautious approach. Notable omissions include the likes of Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah, hinting at a desire to keep their ace bowlers' strategies under wraps before the main tournament. However, their focus lies on giving ample game time to their middle-order batsmen.
The middle-order conundrum features players like Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and the promising Suryakumar Yadav. Ishan Kishan, who missed the final ODI against Australia due to illness, is set to return to action, further intensifying the competition for those coveted spots.
R Ashwin's role
On the other hand, India seems keen on utilising the spin prowess of R Ashwin, especially against England's left-hand dominant lineup, boasting the likes of Dawid Malan, Ben Stokes, and Moeen Ali. Ashwin, drafted in as a last-minute replacement for the injured Axar Patel, adds a layer of strategic complexity to India's game plan.
England's perspective
For England, this warm-up match serves as an opportunity to acclimatise to the conditions and provide valuable game time to key players like Stokes, Liam Livingstone, Jos Buttler, and Jonny Bairstow. England's bowling arsenal, comprising Mark Wood, Reece Topley, Chris Woakes, and spinners Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali, presents a formidable challenge for the Indian batters.
Where to watch the live coverage for IND vs ENG on the TV?
Star Sports channels will provide live telecast coverage, while Hotstar ensures live streaming accessibility.
Match Details
The clash is scheduled to commence at 2 pm IST at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati.
SQUADS
India squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav.
England squad: Jos Buttler (c), Moeen Ali, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Reece Topley, David Willey, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK
