Stumbling England face daunting India challenge

Manchester: England’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 hopes are hanging in the balance ahead of their clash with India, at Edgbaston, on 30 June.

Pre-tournament favourites England started their campaign on a high, winning four out of their first five games. However, successive defeats to Sri Lanka and Australia have left the hosts needing to win at least one – and potentially both – of their final two matches to reach the semi-finals. Their task, against an India side who recently usurped Eoin Morgan’s men to reach the summit of the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings, is daunting.

Virat Kohli’s side are unbeaten in the competition so far, having overcome South Africa, Australia, Pakistan, Afghanistan and West Indies, while seeing their contest with New Zealand abandoned due to rain. What’s more, they boast happy memories of facing England at Edgbaston, having triumphed in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy six years ago.

Key players

Adil Rashid (England): Much focus will be on whether Jason Roy’s return to the XI will bring about a change in fortunes, but Rashid could be even more crucial. Edgbaston is notorious for taking spin – as evidenced by New Zealand’s clash with Pakistan – and England need their ace spinner to rediscover his best form. Rashid, who’s taken more ODI wickets than any other bowler since the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2015, has managed just seven at an average of 51.85 in the competition so far.

Virat Kohli (India): Kohli has passed 50 in each of his last four innings without progressing to three figures, a run that could change very soon. His batting, as ever, has oozed class. Given his penchant for the big occasion, don’t be surprised if Edgbaston’s raucous crowd – combined with the enormity of facing England – brings out his best.

Conditions

If Pakistan's game against New Zealand offers any indication, the pitch should provide plenty of assistance for spin and make a score around 270 competitive. The weather is set fair, with temperatures reaching as high as 25 degrees Celsius.

Squads

England: Eoin Morgan (c), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wk), Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood

India: Virat Kohli (c), Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, MS Dhoni (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Mohammed Shami, Vijay Shankar, Rohit Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav