India delivered a phenomenal performance in the second ODI, led brilliantly by the skipper. It’s  fantastic to see him back among the runs—not just scoring, but making them count with big,  impactful innings. 

Rohit Sharma’s resurgence is particularly commendable. Everyone knows he’s had a lean patch  in the recent past across formats, but to his credit, he didn’t just go out there, get a quick 40- odd, and throw his wicket away. Instead, he showed intent, played with discipline, and made  sure his runs truly mattered. 

He’s shown hunger for runs, and that’s exactly what the team needed—him stepping up and  delivering a big, match-winning knock. By doing so, he’s not only eased the pressure on himself  but also lifted some off the team. 

This is where experience, self-awareness, and understanding of one’s own game make a  difference. Rohit has ticked all the right boxes—not just in terms of his own confidence heading  into a major tournament but also in stabilizing the team’s mindset. 

Nothing unsettles a side more than having their skipper under constant scrutiny. With this  innings, he’s silenced the doubts, and that’s a massive boost for India ahead of the Champions  Trophy. 

India is in a strong position, and things are looking promising. The top order has rediscovered its  rhythm, with Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer finding their form and playing with confidence  again after a challenging phase. That’s a huge positive for the team. 

Of course, one big talking point remains—Virat Kohli. Both he and the team will be eager for  him to get back among the runs. His form will be crucial, and all eyes will be on him in the next  game. 

If Kohli can find form and get some runs under his belt, India’s outlook for the Champions  Trophy will be even brighter. That will no doubt be a key focus heading into the next game. 

Beyond that, India’s depth in the top order is simply remarkable. The fact that talents like  Yashasvi Jaiswal and Abhishek Sharma can’t break into the playing XI speaks volumes about the  squad’s strength. 

Looking ahead, once the Champions Trophy concludes, it feels like a transition could be on the  horizon, with younger players stepping into bigger roles. But for now, the focus remains on the  present. 

As for the upcoming third match, one thing still stands out—Rishabh Pant. When I look at this  Indian side, I can’t help but feel he must have a place in the final XI.

No matter how they choose to restructure the lineup, I still firmly believe Rishabh Pant has to be  in the XI. 

Beyond the top order, one of India’s biggest strengths is their formidable middle order. With  players like Axar Patel, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and Hardik Pandya, they have four top-quality  options who bring both stability and firepower to the late middle order. 

India is an incredibly strong side, and that depth will serve them well on the good, albeit slightly  slow, pitches in Dubai. The sheer power in their middle order—and across the squad—is truly  impressive. 

On the bowling front, I’d love to see Arshdeep get a game. He’s been outstanding in T20 cricket,  and I think he deserves a run in the next match. 

A key selection debate moving forward will be between Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav.  If it were up to me, I’d go with Kuldeep. That said, Chakravarthy has been in tremendous form  and has given England’s top and middle order plenty of headaches. It’s a tough call for the  selectors. 

India boasts incredible depth, which will be a major advantage on Dubai’s good but slightly slow  pitches. Their middle order, packed with power hitters, adds to the team’s overall strength and  balance. 

As for England, they seem to be struggling to find the right balance and tempo when batting  first—something that has often been a challenge for them, especially in subcontinental  conditions. 

In the first game, they were aggressive after a brilliant start, while in the second, despite getting  a solid start, they didn’t quite capitalize, lacking the necessary intent to push forward. 

England needs to find the right tempo, especially in the middle overs—a phase where matches  are often won or lost. It’s not an easy balance to strike, but it’s crucial to their success. I believe  they are required to rotate strike better against spin in middle overs which will help with their  tempo. 

From my own experience in India, the best time to bat is undoubtedly against the new ball. It  allows for quick starts, with conditions resembling those back in the UK, where the hard ball  comes onto the bat nicely. 

The real challenge begins when the pace slows down in the middle overs. That’s where games  are often decided, and it remains an area England must continue to work on.

I’d like to see England take a more aggressive approach because they ultimately fell 30, 40, or  even 50 runs short of a competitive total. They were in a position to push for 350 but couldn’t  capitalize. 

That said, I’ve always believed that the key to success in 50-over cricket is recognizing the match  situation. England did attempt to do that, but they didn’t execute it well enough, which left  them short on runs. 

I’m a big advocate for teams reading the game rather than treating it like an extended T20  match. While there are times when an all-out attacking approach works, understanding when to  shift gears is what truly makes the difference. 

The key challenge for England will be recognizing the match situation and adapting their  approach accordingly. 

The absence of Jacob Bethell is a significant loss, but I believe Jamie Smith is a must-pick— provided he’s fit. He’s a high-class player who can slot in anywhere from No. 3 to No. 7, making  him a valuable addition despite the setback of losing Bethell. 

If they can bring Smith into the XI, it would be a real boost. Alternatively, they might consider  giving Tom Banton a chance at some point to see what he can bring to the lineup. They could  give him a floating role—perhaps slotting him in at No. 3 if an early wicket falls, effectively using  him as a secondary opener while holding Root back for the middle overs. That could be a viable  option, but we’ll have to wait and see. 

If Smith is fit, I expect he’ll be in the XI. Meanwhile, England’s bowling attack remains relatively  inexperienced—Mahmood, for instance, has only played 11 matches. Atkinson has played just  10 matches, Archer 28, Overton only three, and Mark Wood 67. That means four of England’s  bowlers have yet to reach 30 caps—a lack of experience that has been a key factor. 

Despite this, England remains committed to their aggressive approach, whether it’s bowling fast  or sticking to their “bowling rockets” philosophy. But once again, the challenge lies in reading  the match situation correctly. Sometimes, it’s not about raw pace—it’s about taking the speed  off the ball when needed. 

Adil Rashid remains a crucial figure for England and will continue to be vital heading into the  Champions Trophy. 

It’s not just about raw pace—it’s about smart, skillful bowling. The T20s and the first two ODIs  have shown that sheer speed alone won’t always unsettle batters in these conditions. Extra  pace won’t automatically dismantle opposition lineups; it’s about how you use it effectively.

Often, the key isn’t the express delivery itself but the follow-up ball. A batter may sit deep,  expecting pace, and that’s when a well-disguised slower ball can draw them forward and create  an opportunity. Finding that balance—mixing aggression with craft—is crucial. And above all,  England must find runs to support their bowling efforts.