IND vs ENG, ODIs, 2024-25: Rohit Sharma averages 87 while Virat Kohli 33 against Mark Wood in ODIs. Top match-ups to watch out in the ODI series.
India are set to kick off a three-match ODI series against England, with the first match taking place in Nagpur on February 6. This series will serve as a key preparation ground for the upcoming Champions Trophy later this month. The ODI squad has a fresh look compared to the T20I side that recently secured a 4-1 series win against England. However, India will aim to carry forward the momentum from their T20I triumph into the ODI series.
Rohit Sharma returns to lead the team after being "rested" from the Sydney Test against Australia. Virat Kohli is also back in the squad and will relish playing in the format where he has enjoyed immense success. Shubman Gill and KL Rahul return to the ODI fold following a grueling Test season, while all eyes will be on Mohammed Shami, who is making his comeback to ODIs after India's 2023 World Cup final loss to Australia.
A late addition to the squad is Varun Chakravarthy, the Player of the Series in India's recent T20I victory. He will provide stiff competition to Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel for a spot in the playing XI.
Meanwhile, England will be eager to put the T20I series defeat behind them and start afresh in the ODIs. With an unchanged squad from the T20I series, they will now be better accustomed to Indian conditions.
The series promises some exciting player battles. Let’s take a closer look.
Rohit Sharma vs Mark Wood
Rohit Sharma has reinvented India’s approach in the limited-overs format by adopting an aggressive mindset and showing intent in the powerplay. He was highly successful in the 2023 ODI World Cup and followed it up with two fifties in the three ODIs against Sri Lanka since then. Despite his recent struggles in Test cricket, Rohit is expected to excel in this format and in the series against England.
He will be up against Mark Wood, who has the ability to rush batters into playing shots early with his pace, line, and length. In recent times, Rohit's reflexes have not been at their sharpest, making it a real challenge for him to judge the length quickly and execute his shots effectively. However, the ODI format provides him with the opportunity to spend time in the middle—something he has been unable to do in recent matches.
Here's how Rohit has fared against Wood in ODIs
Balls | Runs | Out | Strike Rate | 4s/6s | Average |
101 | 87 | 1 | 86.10 | 13/2 | 87.00 |
Virat Kohli vs Mark Wood
Kohli’s recent struggles with deliveries on the offside have been well-documented. He has consistently edged the ball behind while attempting cover drives to full-length deliveries or playing back-foot shots to good-length balls. England will look to exploit this weakness by positioning multiple fielders in the slip cordon.
Mark Wood, in particular, can bowl consistently in the offside channel and tempt Kohli into making a mistake. The big question remains—can Virat Kohli overcome this recent frailty and regain his form?
Here's how Kohli has fared against Wood in ODIs
Balls | Runs | Out | Strike Rate | 4s/6s | Average |
35 | 33 | 1 | 94.30 | 3/0 | 33.00 |
India’s middle-order vs Adil Rashid
In the recent T20I series, Adil Rashid once again demonstrated why he is regarded as one of the best leg-spinners in the game. His variations, precise line and length, and clever changes of pace make run-scoring extremely difficult. He will be up against India’s middle order, featuring KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Shreyas Iyer—none of whom have been in the best of form lately.
Moreover, India's batting lineup recently struggled against New Zealand’s spinners in a 0-3 Test series loss. Rashid would relish the opportunity to test India's fragile middle order, which is battling for form and consistency. The big question remains—can the middle order replicate the form they displayed in the 2023 ODI World Cup?
England’s middle-order vs Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav needs no invitation to capitalise on batters who struggle against quality spin. The recent T20I series exposed England’s vulnerability in this area, with Varun Chakravarthy claiming 15 wickets. Kuldeep, the left-arm chinaman bowler, has plenty of tricks up his sleeve. His variations, straighter deliveries, and changes in pace make for a lethal combination against England’s struggling middle order.
The likes of Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, and Joe Root will have a tough challenge ahead as they attempt not only to survive but also to score runs against Kuldeep’s spin mastery. Read More: CT 2025: Jaiswal gets maiden ODI call up; Bumrah, Kuldeep in the mix
Liam Livingstone vs Hardik Pandya
Liam Livingstone will play the role of a finisher in England’s XI. He possesses the ability to turn a game around with just a few big hits while batting lower down the order. At the same time, he can adopt a more conservative approach to guide his team to a competitive total or chase down a target, depending on the match situation.
Rohit is likely to turn to Hardik Pandya against Livingstone, as the India all-rounder can mix up his deliveries and trouble him with a surprise short ball or a well-pitched-up delivery. It will be fascinating to see who comes out on top in this battle between the two all-rounders.
Here's how Livingstone has fared against Pandya in ODIs
Balls | Runs | Out | Strike Rate | 4s/6s | Average |
17 | 26 | 2 | 152.90 | 1/3 | 13.00 |
Mohammed Shami vs Jos Buttler & Joe Root
Mohammed Shami took three wickets in the fifth T20I against England, which is a promising sign for the team. An in-form and rhythmic Shami is one of the most dangerous bowlers to face. His exploits against England’s batters in the 2023 ODI World Cup are still fresh in memory.
Shami will aim to target England’s key batters, Joe Root and Jos Buttler, as their dismissals would break the backbone of England’s batting lineup. His pace and impeccable line and length could prove too challenging to handle. Rohit would be wise to save a few of Shami’s overs for the middle phase if Root or Buttler are at the crease.
Here's how Root has fared against Shami in ODIs
Balls | Runs | Out | Strike Rate | 4s/6s | Average |
55 | 48 | 2 | 87.30 | 6/0 | 24.00 |
Here's how Buttler has fared against Shami in ODIs
Balls | Runs | Out | Strike Rate | 4s/6s | Average |
67 | 57 | 5 | 85.10 | 5/2 | 11.40 |
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