Can India seize their chance to win in England?

After their triumph against England at home in the One Day International Series, MS Dhoni and Duncan Fletcher will have a point to prove in the Champions Trophy. India are placed in group B for the Champions Trophy that will kick off on June 6 in England.

The selectors have named quite a few uncapped players for the Champions Trophy, who aren’t familiar with the conditions prevailing in England. Murali Vijay, Dinesh Karthik and Rayudu would find it somewhat difficult in playing in England as the wicket provides both pace and bounce and there will be lateral movement of the surface as well. It will be interesting to see the 15-member squad that will leave for the ICC Champions Trophy.

Rohit Sharma has been in good from as he has played some match-turning innings for the Mumbai Indians. But somehow he is finding it difficult at the international level, especially on foreign soil. However, he has been the only player for India to have handled short-pitched deliveries apart from Badrinath. Yet again, the wickets in England would provide both pace and bounce, and hence, Rohit Sharma will hold the key for India. Also, Gautam Gambhir has been in sublime form for the KKR and he would certainly be in the 15-member squad. Gautam Gambhir has vast experience of playing in England and if he strikes form in England, then India will certainly have their noses ahead.

It will be interesting to see the opening combination as Virender Sehwag has been axed from the squad. Vijay and Gambhir haven’t played together and there wouldn’t be much understanding between them. Murali Vijay hasn’t shined at the international level despite getting adequate amount of chances. On India’s tour of South Africa in 2010, Vijay managed only 17 runs from three ODI matches. He found it extremely difficult to handle short-pitched deliveries in South Africa as the wickets were too pacey and the ball was promptly coming on to the bat. Therefore, Vijay’s performance in ICC Champions Trophy would be under scrutiny.

Manoj Tiwary has been picked for the Champions Trophy after a gap of almost three years. Manoj Tiwary scored a fabulous century against West Indies at Chennai. He is a good striker of the ball, but he hasn’t been familiar with the conditions in England. He has to work hard on handling short-pitched deliveries as they start their campaign against a brutal South African side which has troubled India with short-pitched deliveries.

South Africa, Pakistan and West Indies are more exposed to spin bowling and therefore it wouldn’t be a bad idea to pick Mishra especially because he can turn the ball away from the right hander. Yet again, Ravichandran Ashwin will lead the spin-attack together with Amit Mishra, who has been picked for the One Day International Series after a long gap. It will be interesting to see the tactics of South Africa against Ashwin, who has got a lot of variations in his spin.

India also have a promising pace-attack in the form of Ashok Dinda and Umesh Yadav. Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and Praveen Kumar are generally good bowlers with the new-ball. The inclusion of Irfan Pathan provides options for Dhoni at the death overs where his pace variations becomes significant. The conditions in England would ideally suit Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and Praveen Kumar as they can get the lateral movement of the surface as well.

India have a very good squad though some of them are unfamiliar with the conditions in England. The selectors have to pick the squad depending on the conditions in England. They must not leave out Mishra, Dinda, Vijay, Rahane and Irfan Pathan. They must also consult Dhoni before finalizing the squad. The bowling attack looks good and it’s the batting that should click for India in England.