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India will aim for rescue when they take on England in the first of what is being tout as a vengeance five-match ODI series, starting Friday.
It's pay-back time for Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his men as they will be eager to settle scores, having unsuccessful to protected a single victory in international matches in England. They lost four Tests, three ODIs and one Twenty20 International during the recent tour.
His opposite number, Alastair Cook, will certainly hope that his side can carry on from where they left in the last series, even though they would be missing the services of the alarming new-ball duo of James Anderson and Stuart Broad.
This will be the first series where the new ICC rule of using divide new balls from both ends will be implementing, along with changed Powerplay rules.
On paper and base on current form, England is certainly favourites but in home conditions, Indians have always been frightening opponents.
The series also gives Dhoni as well as the national selectors a possibility to have a clear idea about the edging players as they get an perfect opportunity to test the bench power in the absence of senior players such as Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Zaheer Khan, to name a few.
While Mumbai young person Ajinkya Rahane - the lone brilliant spot during India's devastating ODI campaign - can consolidate his position in the team, rookie leggie Rahul Sharma, Bengal captain Manoj Tiwary and Karnataka seamer Sreenath Aravind will be hopeful to get a chance at some point in the series to show their mettle.
The series will also be an acid test for skipper Dhoni, who would be beneath huge force to do well. It double up when one looks at the bowling line-up which is severely short on experience, with Praveen Kumar the most knowledgeable - having played the most 56 ODIs.
If one goes by the presentation of the players during new matches and also net sessions, Karnataka seamer Sreenath Aravind and Jharkhand speedster Varun Aaron don't look like making the cut.
For the time being, Aaron looks like having been piped by Vidarbha pacer Umesh Yadav who bowled with a group of control and at a fast pace during the recent Irani Trophy.
On the other hand, Sreenath Aravind was constantly hammered by all and sundry during the recent Nokia Champions League Twenty20 and can establish to be easy meat for top English players similar to Kevin Pietersen and skipper Cook.
While Praveen, Umesh and Ashwin look to have booked the three bowling slots, it will be a struggle between R Vinay Kumar and Rahul Sharma for the fourth bowler's period in the playing XI.
While Vinay, with his variations, can show to be an ideal bowler at the death, Rahul can establish to be a preventive option during middle overs.
The Rajiv Gandhi stadium narrow piece promises to be a good one for the batsmen. In fact, during the last ODI which India lost by only three runs chase a target of 351, saw Tendulkar hit a magnificent 175.
India's top six is more or less established with Gautam Gambhir back at the top and is probable to be joined by Parthiv Patel. Ajinkya Rahane, who now bats at number three for Mumbai, may get a chance to bat at his favored slot while Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina and skipper himself complete the top-six.
Ravindra Jadeja, after his inspiring show in England, will be the bowling all-rounder at No 7.
The England side is also a batting heavy-unit with the likes of Cook, Craig Kieswetter, Jonathan Trott, Ian Bell able of playing big innings, not to forget the overwhelming result that Pietersen can have on bowlers.
Ravi Bopara and young Jonathan Bairstow are also in good nick which give the batting unit a frightening look.
The bowling, however, will be largely dependent on pacers Tim Bresnan, Steven Finn and off-spinner Graeme Swann.
It will be attractive to see whether Andy Flower and Cook make a decision to let loose the new tear away quick bowler, Stuart Meaker. In all, there is ingredient for a good competition all through the series.
Teams (from):
India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt), Gautam Gambhir, Parthiv Patel, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Varun Aaron, Umesh Yadav, Vinay Kumar, S Aravind, Rahul Sharma, Manoj Tiwary, Praveen Kumar.
England: Alastair Cook (capt), Craig Kieswetter, Jonathan Trott, Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen, Ravi Bopara, Jonathan Bairstow, Graeme Swann, Samit Patel, Tim Bresnan, Steven Finn, Stuart Meaker, Chris Woakes, Scott Borthwick, Jose Buttler, Alex Hales.
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