What 2nd ODI of the five-match series between India and England When August 27, 2014 Where Sophia Gardens, Cardiff The Teams India With dark clouds and a heavy drizzle dominating the proceedings in the 1st ODI at Bristol, India would be ruing the fact that they could not field an eleven to test. In hindsight, if a game was possible at Bristol, India would have had the chance to work out a bowling combination for the games to follow, their batting order, tested Raina’s presence in the middle-order and more importantly could have seen if a tiring Bhuvneshwar Kumar - India’s most successful bowler so far, was fresh after the team’s Test debacle. Instead India move to Cardiff without a solid game under their belt, they did play a warm-up game against Middlesex leading up to the 1st ODI though. It will be a crucial game for India just because of the fact that they are looking towards this ODI series for a revival of sorts, a format which they feel they are more comfortable playing and look more confident. India have played well at the Sophia Gardens having won 2 out of the 3 ODIs they have played here so far. Two of those victories came in the ICC Champions Trophy last year against South Africa and Sri Lanka. The only loss they suffered at the venue was against England in 2011. Like Bristol, there are signs of rain at Cardiff as well and India would be hoping that they get a game, field a potential playing eleven and start off on a winning note. England Unlike India, the hosts have had an outstanding Test series and sure have their eyes set on the ODI series now. England don’t seem to have any major issues with regards to team combinations and form. Like India, even England have a few new faces in the team, the most notable being Alex Hales. With Hales being brought into the side, he might as well open the innings alongside Captain Alastair Cook. With the Indian bowling line-up not posing a great threat at the moment, Hales would be looking to make his opportunity count. Hales adds that extra firepower to the England batting line-up. Ian Bell as a result is expected to bat at number three with the rest of the batting with the likes of Gary Ballance, Joe Root and Eoin Morgan to follow. Who gets a nod between Moeen Ali and James Tredwell for the spinner’s slot is worth a thought as well. Moeen Ali did not feature in the recently concluded ODI series against Sri Lanka, James Tredwell was England’s spinning option that time. England might just think of giving Ali a go ahead of Tredwell especially after the Indian batsmen were found wanting against Ali’s guile in the Test series. Moreover Ali is touted to be a better bat than Tredwell. England have a plethora of fast bowlers to choose from and James Anderson will be leading the pace attack in the absence of Stuart Broad. Key Players India He looked confident in the warm-up game against Middlesex scoring a brisk 71. Virat Kohli is a different batsman while facing the white ball. His ODI average is an impressive 66 over the last twelve months. On a personal front, Virat Kohli has happy memories of Cardiff the last time he played against England in 2011. He had scored a valiant 107 to guide India to a 300-plus score in 50 overs. Kohli would be looking to strike form early in the tournament and his form is crucial to India’s fortunes in the ODI series. England Ian Bell and Alastair Cook, England’s senior-most batsmen in the side would want their bat to do the talking come Wednesday. It is a venue that they have enjoyed batting with averages of 50 and 62 respectively. While Alastair Cook would be play the anchor at the top of the innings, Ian Bell will hold together a young middle-order. If Bell and Cook get going, be rest assured that there are troubled times for India. Stat Overview Stats 1. Average first innings score at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff: Overall - 228 Since 2000- 229 2. Average second innings score at Cardiff: Overall- 223 Since 2000- 224 [Note: The shortened innings have been excluded] 3. Result summary at Cardiff:

4. Head-to-head:

5. Last meeting between both sides at Cardiff: Brief scores: Sep 16,2011 – India 304/6, England 241/4. England won by 6 wickets (D/L) 6. Form guide (most recent listed first): India: Abandoned, No Result, Won, Won, Won England: Abandoned, Lost, Lost, Won, Lost 7. Pace vs Spin at Cardiff (Who has been more effective) Since 2000

The Squads India: M.S. Dhoni (C & WK), Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Sanju Samson, Ravindra Jadeja, R. Ashwin, Stuart Binny, Dhawal Kulkarni, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Ajinkya Rahane, Karn Sharma, Mohit Sharma, Rohit Sharma, Umesh Yadav. England (1st ODI): Alastair Cook (C), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Gary Ballance, Ian Bell, Jos Buttler (WK), Steven Finn, Harry Gurney, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, , Eoin Morgan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, James Tredwell, Chris Woakes.