At the illustrious Ekana Stadium, an epic battle is set to unfold as the hosts India prepare to face off against the defending champions, England on October 29, 2023. It’ll be a thrilling contest between two of the most power-packed batting lineups in the cricketing world.
In the eight World Cup showdowns, England holds a slight edge with four victories, while India isn’t far behind with three wins. However, the encounter that truly stands out is the memorable 2011 match, which ended in a nail-biting tie.
With the scoreline almost even and past encounters filled with drama and excitement, fans can expect yet another captivating chapter in the storied rivalry between these two cricketing powerhouses.
Team Preview
India
The hosts, India, are living a dream in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, with an impeccable winning streak and a diverse array of match-winners. In each match, they’ve showcased a different star, and their collective brilliance has been a sight to behold.
The top-order duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli has spearheaded the batting charts. KL Rahul’s supporting role has been invaluable. India’s fast bowling artillery, featuring the likes of Bumrah and Shami, has been nothing short of menacing. Ravindra Jadeja’s all-round abilities have added balance to the squad.
Another interesting point is that India has won all their matches while chasing so far, which underscores their strength in chasing targets. The question that arises is: If India is tasked with setting the total against England, can they maintain their dominance in a different role?
England
The nightmare for England continues, and their recent loss to Sri Lanka in Bengaluru added to their woes. With four losses in five matches, their hopes of retaining the World Cup title hanging by a thread. As things stand, England finds themselves in the ninth position on the points table, with just two points earned from their sole victory against Bangladesh.
Their batting, once considered a stronghold, has faltered, with recent totals of 170 and 156 highlighting their struggles, even at venues known for batting-friendly conditions like Wankhede and Chinnaswamy. On the bowling front, their performance has been equally uninspiring. They have the second-worst economy rate of 6.44 in the tournament.
For England, every upcoming match is a do-or-die situation. Any further loss could spell the end of their World Cup aspirations, leaving them mathematically eliminated. The upcoming clash against India takes on a critical significance, as a defeat would push them to the brink of an early exit
Probable Playing XI
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.
England: Dawid Malan, Johnny Bairstow, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c) (wk), Moeen Ali/Liam Livingstone, David Willey, Mark Wood, Adil Rashid, Gus Atkinson
Pitch Report
The Ekana Stadium, renowned for its turning tracks and low-scoring affairs, has witnessed a transformation for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. The wickets prepared for the tournament, using fresh black soil, have provided a different character to the pitch, favouring both batsmen and bowlers.
In the opening match, South Africa posted a 300+ total when batting first, indicating that the surface can be rewarding for batsmen who possess the ability to build their innings. However, the clash between Sri Lanka and Australia was a low-scoring game dominated by slow bowlers.
Overall, the Ekana Stadium, in this edition of the World Cup, offers a neutral wicket that caters to both batsmen and bowlers who can adapt to the conditions and deliver quality performances on the day.
Pitch Stats Since 2022:
- Total Matches Played – 4
- Matches Won Batting First – 2
- Matches Won Batting Second – 2
- Average First Innings Score – 258
- Average Runs Per Over – 5.11
Players To Watch Out For
KL Rahul
KL Rahul has been the silent force behind India’s success, often overshadowed by the brilliance of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. In the World Cup 2023, he has proven his mettle, scoring 177 runs in just four innings and being dismissed only once. His presence provides much-needed stability to the middle order.
What adds to Rahul’s value is his extensive batting experience at the Ekana Stadium, particularly as the opening batter for LSG in T20 cricket. This familiarity with the venue could prove to be a game-changer.
If the top order faces early setbacks, KL’s ability to play match-winning innings and rescue India from challenging situations makes him a key asset to watch out for in the crucial encounter against England.
Ravindra Jadeja
In the realm of cricket, Ravindra Jadeja is the true example of the ideal 3D player for Team India. Whether it’s crucial knocks with the bat, spinning a web to take wickets, or delivering breathtaking fielding performances, Sir Jadeja is a master of all trades.
In the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, Jadeja has exemplified his all-round prowess, taking 7 wickets in just 5 games while maintaining an astonishing economy rate of 3.97. Additionally, he displayed his batting abilities, scoring a vital 39 off 44 against the Kiwis in the lone inning he got to bat.
What adds to Jadeja’s intrigue in this match is his impressive record against England in ODIs. With 501 runs at an average of 45.6 and a strike rate of 99.2, coupled with 38 wickets at an average of 24.6, he has consistently troubled the English side.
Dawid Malan
In the midst of England’s batting struggles in this World Cup, Malan stands out as the lone English batter to have crossed the 200-run mark. His remarkable century against Bangladesh was the standout performance. Although he got starts in subsequent matches against Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, he couldn’t quite convert them into big innings.
Malam has been the most consistent English batsman in the last two years. Since 2022 in ODIs, he has amassed a remarkable 1108 runs with an astounding average of 61.6 and a strike rate of 99.6. He has also scored 6 centuries in just 20 innings in this phase.
With England facing a crucial do-or-die situation, it falls upon Malan’s shoulders to lead the English side with the bat and provide the stability needed to mount a comeback in this high-stakes encounter. His recent form and heritage as a top-order batter make him a player of immense importance.
IND vs ENG Dream11 Team for Match 29 of 2023 WC
Note: This is not our final Dream11 Team as we are not aware of the Toss Result/Final Playing XI of both teams at this moment.
To remain updated and get our final Dream11 Team, Join our Telegram channel Clan For Gamers
