The first of the three one-dayers will get under way in Pune today with lots of expectations from the inform Indian side, although in shorter versions no one can predict the results just like that.
While youngsters like Kedar Jadhav and Hardik Pandey get good exposure to sharpen their skills, India I am sure will bank upon the experienced cricketers. Dhoni will be a free man with no captaincy burden now as he thought he had done enough and it is time for the young and successful leader so far Kohli to take the responsibility.
But his presence we all know, can make a lot of difference and he is always the first person to guide anyone with no prejudices. That is what I reckon made Dhoni a great captain. Most of the young lot, who are successful vow their success to Dhoni the way he groomed them all in a professional manner, not caring the usual criticism he had to face some times.
Well Youvraj’s selection was questioned by some, while 80 percentage welcomed it. He may not be young any longer, but the kind of passion he still has for the game will lesson the burden as he has been a brilliant allround player. He fought cancer we all know to comeback and he is in terrific touch in recent time, scoring two centuries in Ranji matches, which included a big double one. Since Rayudu missed domestic action owing to injury, the selectors had to give preference to experience and they thought it was not a bad idea to bring Yuvi back, keeping the ensuing Champions Trophy in mind.
India certainly will have home advantage although they don’t start as clear favourites in this format, despite winning Test series 4-0. Because we saw that happening against the Kiwis, whom they crushed in five-day format and struggled in the one-dayers.
England do have some match winners in Hales, Roy, Root and Morgan the captain himself. They have a decent bowling attack too, replete with some good all-rounders in Stokes, Dawson and Ali.
It was way back in 1984 they had won the bilateral series in India. And we have to wait and see how they will forget the 4-0 rout in Tests to start a new chapter this year.
The wicket is expected to be a batting friendly one and since the match beginning at 1.30 the dew factor may not effect the teams that much.
By Sudheer Mahavadi – DD Commentator
