4 Issues India Need to Fix in ODIs vs England Before Champions Trophy 

After the exciting finish to the 5-match T20I series against England, it’s time for Team India’s seniors to take center stage as focus shifts to the 50-over format. With the ICC Champions Trophy approaching, India must address key weaknesses in a format they haven’t played much since their heartbreaking loss in the 2023 World Cup final. While the Indian selectors have again trusted their senior pros for another shot at glory, four main issues need immediate attention before the Champions Trophy.

1. Occupancy at the Crease

India’s batters have struggled to build substantial partnerships in longer formats. The hunger for runs, especially among specialist batsmen, seems diminished – a factor that cost India the BGT series in Australia. In ODIs, at least two of the top-6 batsmen must bat through significant portions of the innings to post or chase competitive totals. Recently, India’s specialist batters have fallen cheaply, leaving the lower middle order to salvage situations. Key players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill must regain form in the upcoming England ODIs before the Champions Trophy.

2. Batting Against Spin

The 2-0 ODI series loss to Sri Lanka in 2024 and struggles in the home Test series against New Zealand have exposed India’s vulnerability against quality spin bowling. This weakness is particularly concerning for the Champions Trophy, where Dubai’s larger boundaries will favor spinners. With group stage matches against Pakistan, Bangladesh, and New Zealand – all teams capable of exploiting this weakness – India’s middle-overs batting against spin needs significant improvement. Despite their outstanding ODI records, even Kohli and Rohit have recently struggled with reading line and length effectively.

3. Wicketkeeping Dilemma

Coach Gautam Gambhir’s designation of Rishabh Pant as first-choice wicketkeeper raises questions about KL Rahul’s role. Rahul has been exceptional as a keeper-batsman, averaging 55.44 in 34 innings with 1,386 runs at a strike rate of 91, including 2 centuries and 10 fifties. In comparison, Pant averages 35 in ODIs as keeper, though with a superior strike rate of 108. The upcoming England series provides an opportunity for Pant to cement his position with strong performances.

4. Pace Attack Concerns

With Jasprit Bumrah unavailable for the first two ODIs and potentially the Champions Trophy group stages, India’s pace attack heavily relies on Arshdeep Singh. While Mohammed Shami showed promise in his T20I comeback, expecting him to consistently deliver full 10-over spells might be unrealistic. Hardik Pandya will likely serve as the third seamer, as the team’s structure and emphasis on batting depth preclude including another specialist pacer. Harshit Rana may see action in the initial ODIs depending on Shami’s fitness.

These four aspects require immediate attention if India hopes to secure their first ICC trophy in the 50-over format in 12 years.