India vs England 2018, First ODI: Statistical Preview

The T20I series has served as the perfect appetiser for the long English summer. India thoroughly dominated the series to bag the three-match series 2-1. Barring the second T20I, Eoin Morgan & Co. could not just pose a tough challenge in front of the Men in Blue.

The focus now shifts to the much-anticipated ODI series, starting Thursday. Both the teams are coming off some great results in their last ODI assignments. While India had registered a historic 5-1 win in South Africa earlier this year, England blew away Australia 5-0 not very long ago.

So before the two in-form teams lock horns in the first ODI, we take a look at the statistical preview:

1. India and England have played 96 ODIs against each other so far. It is the joint-2nd most for England against any side. England have also played West Indies 96 times while they have played 147 ODIs against bitter rivals Australia. India, on the other hand, have played over 100 ODIs against Sri Lanka (158), Pakistan (129), Australia (128), West Indies (121), and New Zealand (101).

2.  Virat Kohli has so far has led India in 49 ODIs. When he comes out to lead the team in the series-opener, he will become the 7th to lead India in 50 ODIs, after MS Dhoni (199), Mohammad Azharuddin (174), Sourav Ganguly (146), Rahul Dravid (79), Kapil Dev (74), and Sachin Tendulkar (73).

3. MS Dhoni needs 33 runs to complete 10,000 runs in the 50-over format. He will become the 4th Indian (after Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, and Rahul Dravid) and 12th overall to the milestone.

4. With 1,425 runs, Dhoni needs 99 to become the highest scorer in India-England matches. The record is currently held by Yuvraj Singh (1,523), while Sachin Tendulkar (1,455) is also ahead of Dhoni. The highest run-getter for England is Ian Bell (1,163).

5. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (10), has the most wickets in India-England matches among players in the squads. Liam Plunkett and Ben Stokes have 9 each.

6. Axar Patel needs 5 wickets to reach the 50-wicket mark. He will become the 35th Indian and 300th overall to the milestone.

7. Jonny Bairstow needs 144 runs to reach the 2,000-run mark. Bairstow will become the 27th England cricketer and 213rd overall to the milestone.