India’s biggest concern heading into the series is the batting unit. The top order failed to cope with Ireland’s favorable conditions, with Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan and skipper Shreyas Iyer all having a tough game. While Abhishek Sharma showed his explosiveness with a fifty in the series, India will need their senior batsmen to be more consistent against England’s quality attack.
There is also excitement surrounding 15-year-old batsman Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, but assistant coach Ryan ten Doschate says the youngster is unlikely to break into the starting XI and will continue to ease his way into international cricket.
England, meanwhile, has one of the strongest T20 teams in world cricket. Harry Brooke’s side boasts a host of proven match-winners including Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, Will Jacks, Sam Curran and Adil Rashid. Their speed attack could be decisive in home conditions. Jofra Archer, Luke Wood, Saqib Mahmood and Sam Curran are expected to exploit the sporting properties of the new ball to make India’s fragile top order their first targets.
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The Riverside Ground has traditionally offered a balanced game between bat and ball, but the fast bowlers often have the upper hand, especially in night matches when under lights the swing can be made.
The venue’s average score in the first innings in T20Is is around 138, which suggests that batsmen need to spend some time at the crease before batting. The team that wins the power play may gain a significant advantage.
India has an overall advantage in the 20-match series, winning 18 of the 30 matches, while England has recorded 12 wins.
In England, however, the contest was more evenly contested, with India leading just 6-5, underscoring the intensity of the domestic rivalry.
