India’s journey from the ODI World Cup to the Champions Trophy was always designed to include nine matches. The issue isn’t with the number—the rhythm of the modern game—but rather with the fact that only a third of these matches remain.
When India steps out onto the field in Nagpur, it will mark their first home ODI since the World Cup, ending a 14-month hiatus. Such a lengthy break in a format they enjoy playing and marketing at home is unusual, but it reflects the current cricketing landscape. The limited preparation time ahead of the Champions Trophy, especially in home conditions where fine-tuning is most effective, adds extra importance to the upcoming three-match series against England—a contest with enough intrigue to hold its ground in an already packed cricket calendar, reports Live Cricket Score.
The schedule appears favourable, with India starting in Vidarbha instead of Motera, the venue of their painful World Cup final loss to Australia in front of a record crowd. This setback, however, has only fueled India’s hunger for an ODI trophy. The enthusiasm was palpable when fans thronged Marine Drive to celebrate Rohit Sharma’s team lifting the T20 World Cup just seven months after their 50-over heartbreak.
The Champions Trophy represents India’s chance for redemption, and this ODI series serves as both a prelude to the ICC event and a closure to a T20I series that reaffirmed one thing: the next generation is knocking on the door.
Match Details
When: Thursday, February 6, 2025, 1:30 PM IST
Where: Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur
What to Expect
Nagpur’s average first-innings score is 288, but with no ODI cricket hosted here in six years, this stat may not carry much weight. The evolution of big-hitting in recent years could alter that benchmark entirely.
India has won their last three ODIs at the venue, two while chasing. Interestingly, captains opted to bat first in three of the last five matches here, though those decisions date back to a different tactical era in ODI cricket.
Temperatures during the day should hover around 32°C, dropping to around 18°C at night, making dew a likely factor as the game progresses.
Team News
India
The familiar core of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and Kuldeep Yadav will feature, complemented by Ravindra Jadeja and Rishabh Pant, who will compete for spots. Varun Chakaravarthy has been included in the squad but is unlikely to play unless injury forces a change, much like Yashasvi Jaiswal, expected to serve as the backup opener.
Fresh from his T20I comeback, Mohammed Shami will don ODI colours for the first time since the World Cup. With Jasprit Bumrah unavailable until the third ODI and Mohammed Siraj dropped, Arshdeep Singh will be keen to capitalize on his strong series in South Africa. Hardik Pandya also returns to the ODI setup after the World Cup.
India must decide between Jadeja, who boasts a strong record against England’s batters, and Axar Patel, whose elevation to T20I vice-captaincy underlines his importance in India’s transitional plans. Another crucial decision will be whether to include Washington Sundar, offering handy off-spin and a left-handed option, or Rishabh Pant, which might leave KL Rahul or Shreyas Iyer on the bench.
Probable XI: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Virat Kohli, Washington Sundar, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel / Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav
England
England’s ODI squad closely resembles their T20I setup, bolstered by the return of Joe Root. His presence is a significant boost for a side that has struggled against spin in Indian conditions. Root’s experience will be invaluable to younger players like Harry Brook, Jamie Smith, and Jacob Bethell.
England’s attack will lean heavily on pace, with Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse, and Saqib Mahmood named in the starting XI. Mark Wood, meanwhile, has been rested. Adil Rashid will lead the spin department, and Root’s part-time spin could also be useful.
Brook will aim to improve his record in India, where he has averaged just 28 across six ODIs. Without Varun Chakaravarthy’s mystery spin in Nagpur, England’s batters will look to dominate the middle overs.
Playing XI: Ben Duckett, Phil Salt, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler, Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood
Did You Know?
- Mohammed Shami has dismissed Jos Buttler five times in nine ODIs.
- Harry Brook averages 71 since the 2023 World Cup.
- Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have amassed 529 runs in eight ODIs in Nagpur, including three centuries and two half-centuries.
- Jos Buttler averages only 13.81 across 16 ODI innings in India, with a highest score of 43.
- England’s only ODI series win in India came in 1984/85. Their last drawn series was in 2002; they’ve lost six consecutive series since then.
What They Said
“After the World Cup, we only played three ODIs as a group. It’s been a short run, but we performed well for two years before the final. The players currently in the side have earned their spots. It wouldn’t be unfair to drop them just because others perform domestically. We need consistency to build a strong team.” – Shubman Gill, Indian vice-captain.
