New Delhi: England and India came into this World Cup as the two top-ranked teams in One-Day International cricket and as pre-tournament favourites. A month later, as they go head-to-head, their trajectories couldn’t have gone in more different directions.
India have met the expectations and stand tall on the points table, having won all but one of their matches. That ‘one’ was a washout against New Zealand.
England, on the other hand, find themselves in a hole. They need to win both their remaining matches to have the best possible chance of progressing into the semifinals.
At the moment, it looks like an uphill task, given that many of England’s technical frailties have been exposed on relatively difficult pitches in this World Cup. Add the sheer might of India’s vaunted bowling line-up, and the challenge suddenly starts to look even more formidable for England.
Sunday’s match will be played at Edgbaston, Birmingham. On this ground, history also seems to favour Team India.
Advantage India
India and England have played four matches at Edgbaston, with India prevailing in three of them. This includes victories on the biggest of stages, like the 1999 World Cup and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy Final.
England’s only victory came in 2007 when Rahul Dravid’s team failed to chase England’s total of 281.
Not exactly a batting paradise
Edgbaston isn’t particularly known for its batting-friendly pitches. The highest successful run chase on this ground is just 280/4 by Australia against England, which occurred way back in 1993.
The last match on this ground, New Zealand vs Pakistan in this World Cup, also wasn’t a run-fest. While Pakistan, led by Babar Azam’s brilliant century, chased New Zealand’s 237, the difficulty of the chase on a turning track was evident to any observer.
Missing heroes
The last time India played against England at Edgbaston, they stormed to the target of 207 thanks to a brilliant opening stand by Ajinkya Rahane and Shikhar Dhawan. Rahane, the Man of the Match, scored 106 while Dhawan was unbeaten on a fluent 97.
While both these men will be missing in action this time, the bowling hero of that game, Mohammed Shami (3/28 in 7.3 overs), looks unstoppable this time as well with eight wickets in two games, including a hat-trick against Afghanistan.
Also read: Whatever he does, Virat Kohli won’t be India’s greatest in England. It’ll still be Dravid