What 4th ODI of the five-match series between India and England When September 2, 2014 Where Edgbaston, Birmingham The Teams India It’s quite amazing what coloured clothing can do to Team India. Just a fortnight ago there was a cloud of problems hovering over the team. Players were under scrutiny, temperament and caliber were being questioned and there were doubts if this team can deliver in ODIs after a dismal Test series. However, over the week, India have shown what a terrific one day outfit they are. Infact they have given England a lesson in how to play the fifty over format in their own backyard. Yes, the Test series wounds are still fresh in the minds of some of the players but it has helped a few to use it as a catalyst to deliver in ODIs. Suddenly there is a spring in the stride; catches are being held on, runs are flowing off the Indian bats and captain MS Dhoni is marching his troops with poise. Two ODIs down, two to go and India have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the five-match ODI series. India cannot lose the series from here. They are just one win away from a historic ODI series win and they would want to finish things off at Edgbaston itself. India don’t seem to have real problems having won two ODIs comprehensively. The team combination might be given a thought especially after Rohit Sharma returning home with an injured finger. It would be interesting to see if India play Murali Vijay - Rohit Sharma’s replacement and ask him to open the innings. If Vijay is asked to open, Rahane will get back in the middle-order with the rest of the batting line-up retaining their positions. It is very unlikely to see any of the new faces featuring in the next ODI. Mohit Sharma limped off the field at Trent Bridge but came back later to have a good day on the field affecting a run-out and holding on to a catch. If Mohit is fit enough to play, there is very little chance that India would tinker with the playing eleven. England There is nothing going England’s way. They ruled the Test series, but look completely out of sorts in ODIs. India has successfully managed to ‘spin’ a web around the England batsmen and this continues to be a worry for them. England captain Alastair Cook did accept his side’s frailty to spin bowling and his batsmen failing to shine with the bat. Rightly so, twice in the ODIs so far, England have let go of good starts with the bat and allowed the Indian spinners to thrive on them. Cook added in the post-match press conference that his side will need to regain confidence and work a way to play spin better in the remaining two ODIs. With the middle order not contributing much with the bat, England’s biggest worry lies in the batting department. Captain Alastair Cook and Alex Hales have managed to give England starts but the batsmen to follow have not really got going. India look a completely different side now as England find themselves at bay. One more slip and the ODI series will be out of England’s grasp. Key Players India These are good times for India. Results are going in their favour and some of their marquee batsmen are amongst runs. A big positive that India could take from the previous ODI at Trent Bridge would be the sight of their star player Virat Kohli showing glimpses of form. He looked stable at the crease, his feet were moving and the six that he hit off Tredwell might have felt good not just for the members of the dressing room but for Kohli as well. He is yet to make a notable performance in the series so far. His teammates feel that he is batting well and a big one is round the corner. Kohli would want to prove his teammates right. England ‘Spin’ has been the talk in the two ODIs played so far. India have used it well to their advantage while the England batsmen have been found wanting. England would not be looking too far in the dressing room to counter India’s spin attack. When it comes to playing spin, one player in the England ranks who plays spin better than most players in the squad is Ian Bell. Bell has not had the best of ODI series so far. He was bowled in the second ODI leaving a straight ball and was run-out in the third after scoring 28. He has been an effective player of spin bowling over the years and would be looking to lead the England counter-attack at Edgbaston. Stat Overview 1. Average first innings score at Birmingham: Overall – 233 Since 2000- 233 2. Average second innings score at Birmingham: Overall- 219 Since 2000- 193 [Note: All shortened / incomplete innings have been excluded] 3. Result summary at Birmingham:

4. Head-to-head:

5. Last meeting between both sides at Birmingham: Brief scores: June 23, 2013 – India 129/7, England 124/8. India won by 5 runs 6. Form guide (most recent listed first): India: Won, Won, Abandoned, NR, Won England: Lost, Lost, Abandoned, Lost, Lost 7. Pace vs Spin at Birmingham (Who has been more effective) Since 2000

The Squads India: M.S. Dhoni (C & WK), Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Sanju Samson, Ravindra Jadeja, R. Ashwin, Stuart Binny, Dhawal Kulkarni, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Ajinkya Rahane, Karn Sharma, Mohit Sharma, Umesh Yadav. England (4th 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.