Cricket News: Reason why England might struggle against India in the next two matches
Under the duo of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, England announced English cricket's revival in the form of the 'Bazball' era. In red-ball format, they not only whitewashed the series against New Zealand to win by 3-0 but also dominated India in the fifth rescheduled Test
However, contrary to this attacking mindset which helped them in test matches, the team is struggling in the white ball series under newly appointed captain Jos Buttler. India defeated them in T20I by 2-1 and made a dominating start in the ODI series to grab a lead by 1-0. Following the change from the red ball to the white ball, there are a few points which might make it difficult for England to win with ease in the left two matches,
Lack of IPL experienced bowlers with no experience against India
While most of the batters included in the playing XI of England have played plenty of short-format cricket against Indian bowlers, English bowlers barely have the experience to play against Indians. Reece Topley, Richard Gleeson, Matt Parkinson, and Craig Overton are the recent new inclusion of England in the white-ball format. They have no prior experience in playing Indian experienced batting line-up, and hence they struggle to figure out ways to dismiss them.
Jos Buttler is out of his touch throughout the series
The new era of England's white ball cricket under Jos Buttler began with a loss. While he had a terrific outing in the recent edition of the IPL and Netherlands series, the batter looked to be struggling with his bat against Indian bowlers. Despite being one of the most in-form white ball players, he scored just 22 runs in T20I matches and 30 in the first ODI, making him look thoroughly out of touch with the bat throughout the series. His workload as a batter, captain, and wicket-keeper looks to have added a burden to his form. His form's revival is crucial for England's success in the white ball series.
England's opening struggle, whereas India has managed to take early first wicket throughout the white ball series
England has tried two opening pairs in the white ball series: Jason Roy-Jos Buttler in T20Is and Jason Roy-Jonny Bairstow in ODIs. Jason Roy and Jos Buttler had made a good opening pair in the previous series, but against India, they looked to struggle in T20Is. Except for the third T20I, where they could build a stand of 31 runs, Indian new ball specialist Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissed one of either opener for a duck and one run in the first two T20Is. Carrying forward India's power with the new, Jasprit Bumrah did this job in the first ODI to send both the openers for a duck (Jason Roy) and seven runs (Jonny Bairstow). Knowing the importance of openers playing in any format, this turned out to be the biggest failure for England, whereas a point of strength for Indian bowlers.
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