England vs India, 2nd T20I - England Predicted XI
Updated - 06 Jul 2018, 04:54 PM
After a thumping loss in the first T20I, England will be desperate to bounce back when they square off with India in the second of the three-match T20I series on July 6 (Friday) at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff.
Meanwhile, England have turned Merlyn to counter Kuldeep Yadav. Yadav was spectacular in the last game bagging a five-for, thus crashing the English middle-order. However, among all these, Jos Buttler was the shining star, who continued his rich vein of form.
David Willey also looked comfortable against the spin, however, the hosts need will have an uphill task in the next game. The bowlers will also have rise up to the occasion and counter the heavyweight Indian batting. In the last outing, they looked absolutely clueless against the likes of KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma.
However, Eoin Morgan is unlikely to make any changes in the playing XI and trust their abilities. They are coming from the back of a whitewash and will have a upper hand in the game.
Here is how the hosts can line up for the 2nd T20I:
JASON ROY
Jason Roy has been in good touch recently and will look to continue his onslaught with the bat. He along with Jos Buttler will seek to provide the host with a swashbuckling start.
Roy can clear any grounds, and the fans will be keen to see some balls flying over the rope.
JOS BUTTLER (wk)
Since his IPL turnover, everything Jos Buttler had touched had turned out to be gold. Moreover, he had hardly put a foot wrong since his carnage in the latter half of the league.
The management will want Buttler to continue against the bowlers whom he knows well.
JOE ROOT
Although Joe Root’s position is the team seemed to be in some jeopardy, Bayliss had cleared all the speculations.
Root plays a game that suits the fifty-over and Tests. However, his ability to manoeuvre the field sets him apart. The Test captain will be key against the spin duo.
EOIN MORGAN (C)
Morgan had led these exciting talents beautifully and instilled a fighting character among the boys. Although he has got little opportunities to bat of late, he needs to score some runs.
The southpaw can bat according to the need of the game which sets him apart from the rest.
ALEX HALES
The tall and lanky batsman has recently dumped the longer format to concentrate more on white ball cricket. However, he will have to prove his worth against a challenging bowling unit.
Hales can hit long, and the fans will wait for few of those when the match commences.
JONNY BAIRSTOW
Jonny Bairstow was in the form of his life against the Aussies during the ODI series. However, he failed to open the account getting out for a first ball duck.
Although he bats lower in the order in T20Is, he hit the ball cleanly.
MOEEN ALI
Moeen Ali’s poor run against India continue as he had a poor outing at the Old Trafford. He went for plenty of runs and couldn’t contribute with the bat as well.
However, he will look to start fresh and make a mark at Cardiff.
DAVID WILLEY
David Willey is the most sought after cricketer in the shortest version of the game. A genuine all-rounder, Willey can be a match-winner for the hosts in this all-important series.
He along with Buttler looked comfortable against the Indian spinners.
LIAM PLUNKETT
The veteran all-rounder has all the experience by his side and will lead the bowling pack against the mighty Indians. Although he was wayward in the first game, his variations can come in handy.
Furthermore, his ability to clear the grounds with the bat will strengthen the English batting.
CHRIS JORDAN
Chris Jordan, over the years, has grown as a T20I bowler playing in various franchise leagues across the world. The management will want him to pick wickets with the new ball.
Meanwhile, he was economical in the first outing but returned wicketless.
ADIL RASHID
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The leg-spinner has been in good form picking bulk of the wickets against Australia in the recently concluded series. However, he struggled to make inroads in the Indian line up.
Rashid will be keen to return to form against the top-notch Indian batting unit.
Also read: Aiden Markram keen to extend good form to overseas tour
