England Vs India, 2018: 1st ODI - India's Predicted XI

After clinching the Twenty20 International series, India will set their eyes on the three-match One-day International series. Thus, the much-anticipated 50-over series between the first and second ranked team is surely going to be an enthralling contest.

India was able to tick the right boxes against England in the shortest format. Thus, the tourists would like to repeat their performance against the English juggernauts.

On the other hand, England has played some ruthless cricket in the 50-overs format. They had recently obliterated their arch-rivals Australia by 5-0 and would also like to dominate the Indian team.

However, Eoin Morgan-led Three Lions will know that they will have his work cut out against a potent Indian side.

India also knows that the numero uno position in the ODI rankings will be up for grab, provided they clean sweep the hosts.

Here is a look at the Predicted Playing XI of India for the first ODI:

Rohit Sharma:

Rohit Sharma had played a match-winning knock in the final T20I. Thus, the Indian limited-overs deputy was able to get back into top form which is a positive sign for the Men in Blue.

Shikhar Dhawan:

Shikhar Dhawan disappointed in the T20I series. However, the southpaw batsman has a great record while playing in the English conditions in the 50-overs form.

Therefore, he would like to come back stronger at the top.

Virat Kohli:

There are talks that Virat Kohli should demote himself to the number four position. However, the Indian skipper is not going to give up easily on the position which has yielded him great success in the recent past.

KL Rahul:

There won’t be a better time to give KL Rahul a go at the number four spot. The middle-order place has raised India’s conundrum and the in-form Rahul can be the answer to India’s batting woes at this very particular position.

Suresh Raina:

As the match will be played at Trent Bridge, India will be tempted to play Raina as he can chip in with some overs. Consequently, Raina will like to contribute with both bat and bowl.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wk)

India will like to take the right first steps in the ODI series.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is in fine form with the bat. In fact, Dhoni is 33 runs short from the 10,000 run mark.

Therefore, Dhoni is likely to get to the landmark if he will receive his chance to bat.

Hardik Pandya:

Hardik Pandya had glittered in the final T20I. Subsequently, Pandya will look to repeat his magic in the ODI series. In fact, Pandya will like to bowl his full quota of ten overs.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar:

Pace spearhead Bhuvneshwar Kumar didn’t look at the top of his game in the first two T20I.

Ergo, India’s pack leader will like to make a stronger comeback as he is going to hold the key.

Kuldeep Yadav:

Kuldeep Yadav was surprisingly drop in the T20I decider to make way for the young fast bowlers.

However, Yadav will straight away come back into the final XI.

Yuzvendra Chahal:

Yuzvendra Chahal will like to hunt in tandem with wrist-spinner Kuldeep.

Chahal has done a fine job in the middle-overs and he will like to keep contributing in the wickets section.

Umesh Yadav:

Umesh Yadav has shown great control in the last two years. Thus, the fast bowler will like to make the most of his brisk pace. Furthermore, he was among the wickets in the T20I series.