IND vs ENG World Cup 2023: Following three losses on the trot, England will face the heavy-weight Indian side in its next encounter scheduled for tomorrow (October 29) in Lucknow. The India vs England contest is touted to be make or break as we barge into the important phase of the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023. This article will talk you through three changes that India might make for the next match against England.
Table of Contents
The hosts, India, have been impeccable so far in the ICC World Cup 2023. India are the only team that is yet to falter on the big stage and it remains to be seen how the team fares from here.
With five victories in as many matches, India is comfortably heading into the semi-finals of the ICC World Cup 2023. With a couple of victories more, the Men in Blue will be through to feature in the next round.
While all this time, India seemed in good shape to head further in the tournament, a concern has developed in the team with the injury to all-rounder Hardik Pandya, whose replacement is not available in the chosen Indian squad.
Hardik Pandya suffered an ankle blow during India’s game against Bangladesh in Pune. The all-rounder was immediately withdrawn from the contest and was taken for the scans. Although Rohit Sharma mentioned that nothing serious has happened to Hardik, the recent developments on the injury have struck the team.
The all-rounder is suspected to have a Grade 1 ligament tear which takes at least a fortnight to heal. He will remain at the NCA for the time being and reportedly the team is willing to wait for his return and thus not asking for a replacement.
Hardik’s absence pushed India to bring in a couple of changes to the team. With him available, India usually has six bowling options. Moreover, he is also a fantastic batter, who provides depth in the team.
Rohit Sharma and management brought in Suryakumar Yadav to cover Hardik Pandya’s batting prowesses, while in the bowling front, Shardul Thakur was replaced by Mohammad Shami.
In the next game against England, India is again set to have a couple more changes to the team. Let’s have a look at Three Changes That India Might Make For Next Match Against England.
IND vs ENG: Three Changes For India vs England
1 – Suryakumar Yadav to replace Hardik Pandya
Hardik is a vital cog for India in both the bowling and batting departments. His abilities at the back end aid India in playing fearless cricket at the top. Moreover, if there is a collapse at the top, he can provide the necessary rescue assistance and put the team back on track.
The hosts brought Suryakumar Yadav into the playing 11 for the game against New Zealand in place of Hardik Pandya, however, the batter couldn’t contribute much as he was run out. There is no chance that the team would drop him given that it would make the team’s batting strength delicate.
2 – Ravichandran Ashwin to replace Shardul Thakur
Team India has always been a flexible side with some players at hand who can come into the playing 11 for specific conditions. One such flexibility is having R Ashwin in the squad, who usually comes in when there is a hint of spin on offer by replacing Shardul Thakur.
Considering that Lucknow’s Ekana Cricket Stadium has traditionally aided the spin, India will be tempted to have an additional spin bowling option in the team. Moreover, with him in the playing 11, the batting strength of the team increases.
3 – Mohammad Shami to replace Mohammad Siraj
It is going to be a tough call for team India and management to pick one between Mohd Siraj and Mohd Shami. Both have exceptionally fantastic skill sets, but the inclusion of Shami in the last game against New Zealand has changed the dynamics of the team completely.
While India favoured going with the pair of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj to begin their World Cup 2023 campaign, it seems Shami has put a case for himself with a fifer against New Zealand in the last game.
Siraj’s total wickets tally in the ongoing World Cup 2023 read 6 after playing five matches, Shami has picked five wickets in just a single game. Moreover, it can be said that with the pitch offering more to the spinners, Rohit Sharma might be lured to head with the combination of three spinners and two pacers – Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah.
Visit the ICC OFFICIAL WEBSITE for more recent updates.