IND vs ENG Match Prediction: Who Will Win Today's 1st ODI Between India And England?

The first India-England ODI will be played in Nagpur. [Source: @Niji_S7_/X]

In what is going to be their last opportunity to fine-tune preparations for the imminent Champions Trophy, India and England will be participating in a three-match ODI series with the first match to be played in Nagpur on Thursday. Considering the format, one expects England to compete strongly unlike the recently concluded five-match T20I series.

India

Since ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, India’s six ODIs are the least that any country has played. While a large majority of first-choice players were absent during the first three ODIs in South Africa, first-choice players failed miserably during the last three ODIs in Sri Lanka.

Scheduled to play their first ODI at home since that dreaded night in Ahmedabad in November 2023, India need to start afresh. With their players not in touch with the format, India have so much to gain from this series before traveling to Dubai for ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

England

On paper, England have played five more ODIs than India in this period. But you don’t have to be a cricketing geek to know that they have been in much worse form than their four wins and seven losses would suggest.

Captain Jos Buttler, arguably their greatest white-ball batter, hasn’t played an ODI in almost 14 months. Neither has former Test captain Joe Root – arguably their greatest batter. Furthermore, this is going to be head coach Brendon McCullum’s maiden ODI assignment in this capacity.

IND vs ENG Head-to-Head Record In ODIs

How Will The Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium Pitch Behave?

While international cricket is returning to Nagpur after a couple of years, the city will witness the return of ODIs after almost six years. With an average run rate of 5.73 in ODIs, this ground ranks seventh in India.

Historically, in spite of its relatively larger boundary size, Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium’s pitch has had enough for the batters to exploit. As a result, expect them to dominate. That being said, only those capable of countering the spinners successfully will succeed.

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Players To Watch Out For In IND vs ENG 1st ODI

India

Rohit Sharma

Arguably in the worst form of his international career, captain Rohit Sharma would be looking to turn the tables in a format where he has prospered. Having scored almost double the runs scored by the next best Indian batter during the tour of Sri Lanka last year, Sharma is also the third-highest run-scorer in ODIs played at this stadium.

Virat Kohli

Speaking of Nagpur ODIs, former captain Virat Kohli is the highest run-scorer on the back of 325 runs at an average and strike rate of 81.25 and 105.17 respectively across five innings. Apart from his predecessor in MS Dhoni, Kohli is the only other batter to have scored two tons in this format at the VCA Stadium. With his current form no different to his current captain’s, all eyes would doubtlessly be on how these two bat in the first match.

Mohammed Shami

Returning to the format for the first time after the previous World Cup, pacer Mohammed Shami’s fitness will be another key area for everyone to observe. Shami, who warmed-up by playing two T20Is against England, would himself want to prove a point at a venue where he strikes at 108.

England

Joe Root

Among current players, Root is the only player to have played two international matches here. However, even he hasn’t played a Nagpur ODI till date. Another of those players who hasn’t played an ODI since the 2023 World Cup, this series and the subsequent Champions Trophy could decide Root’s future in the format.

Jos Buttler

Lately, consistent injuries and inconsistent form haven’t allowed Buttler to come across as the player he once used to be. Having led England to two successive debacles in white-ball ICC events, Buttler would want to make amends across divisions especially in his first ODI series under a new head coach.

Mark Wood

Much like Root, even fast bowler Mark Wood hasn’t played an ODI since the World Cup. On his day, Wood can be the express bowler that you want him to be. Glimpses of the same were put on display during the recently concluded T20Is. ODIs, however, will test the 35-year-old player in a different manner.

Today's Match Prediction: IND vs ENG 1st ODI

Predicted Top Performers

India – Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya

England – Ben Duckett, Jos Buttler, Adil Rashid

IND vs ENG 1st ODI: Predicted Score

Predicted first innings score: 287-297

Predicted second innings score: 275-285

Predicted Result: With chasing teams winning six out of nine ODIs at this venue, the team bowling first could taste victory in this match.

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