England Aims to Secure a Win in Final ODI Match Against India on talkSPORT 2

After facing a challenging 4-1 defeat in the recent T20 series, England’s ODI campaign under the leadership of Brendon McCullum has not unfolded as hoped. The team is currently in a precarious position, trailing 2-0 as they head into the decisive final match. This series marks a critical moment for the team, as they look to avoid a complete whitewash and reclaim some pride on the international stage.

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In their previous ODI encounter, England’s performance was overshadowed by a dominant display from the Indian team. After a disappointing initial match in Nagpur, England managed to set a respectable total of 304 runs in the second game. However, this effort was not enough to secure a victory. A remarkable opening partnership of 136 runs between Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma allowed India to chase down the target with relative ease. Sharma’s explosive innings of 119 runs off just 90 balls highlighted the challenges England faced, as they fell short once again. Now, England’s focus shifts entirely to salvaging their reputation and achieving McCullum’s first ODI victory as head coach.

Key Details for the Final ODI: India vs England

The highly anticipated final ODI match is scheduled for Wednesday, February 12, at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Fans can tune in for the action starting at 8 AM UK time. Comprehensive live coverage of the match will be available on talkSPORT 2, featuring expert commentary from a talented team that includes Jon Norman, Jarrod Kimber, and the legendary David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd. Additionally, cricketing great Steve Harmison will be on-site in India, providing insights alongside Neil Manthorp and Chetan Narula. To catch the live stream, click HERE to access talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website. Alternatively, listeners can enjoy the match via the talkSPORT app, DAB digital radio, smart speakers, or on 1089 and 1053 AM frequencies. Furthermore, the ODI series will also be broadcasted on TNT Sports and discovery+ for wider accessibility. More details can be found here.

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Latest Team Updates: India vs England

In a recent development, England has made a necessary change to their squad due to an injury sustained by Jacob Bethell. This injury has prompted the call-up of Tom Banton, who may make his debut in the upcoming match. On the other hand, the Indian team is contemplating the possibility of rotating their squad, which could provide valuable playing time for reserve players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul. This strategic adjustment may add depth and versatility to the Indian lineup.

India Squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohd. Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy.

England Squad: Jos Buttler (C), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Tom Banton, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Saqib Mahmood, Phil Salt, Mark Wood.

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Reactions and Insights from England’s Performance

Despite the series of setbacks, England’s captain Jos Buttler remains optimistic about the team’s development. In his comments during the post-match press conference following the second ODI, Buttler highlighted the positive aspects of their performance. “I thought we started really well,” he noted. He praised the efforts of players like Ben Duckett and Phil Salt, who excelled during the powerplay. However, he acknowledged that the team needed one or two key players to build on the momentum and push their score to a more competitive 330 or 350 runs. He concluded by recognizing Rohit Sharma’s exceptional performance, stating, “credit to Rohit Sharma. He played a fantastic knock.” This reflection indicates that while challenges remain, there are signs of progress that could bode well for future matches.