SANJJEEV K SAMYAL

NOTTINGHAM: The big picture from the first half of India’s tour of England was always going to be provided by the one-dayers. With the World Cup less than a year away, and to be played at the same venues, the series has been billed as a contest between the strongest contenders for the mega event.

The three matches in six days will give a glimpse of where India and England stand as they look to settle on combinations and gameplan. India can claim the psychological edge having won the T20 series, but the hosts are topranked in ODIS and have won their last 10 bilateral series.

India’s key pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar is doubtful after missing the last T20 in Bristol due to a stiff back. “Bhuvneshwar has come here to train. He is going to try and bowl and see how he feels. He looks fine to me as of now. Hopefully, he will be ready tomorrow,” said Rohit Sharma.

Though he did light jogging, he didn’t bowl in the nets. Bhuvi’s absence turns the spotlight even more on wrist spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal. Rohit was confident they would work their magic.

“Kuldeep is an attacking option wherever he plays. He will be bowling 10 overs, hopefully he can extract turn and bounce, which he did in South Africa. We know the middle overs are crucial where the opposition go in terms of scoring runs. It is important to apply the brakes. These two guys will be very important to give us wicket-taking options in the middle.” Chahal and Kuldeep shared 33 wickets in six matches in South Africa.

Trent Bridge will lift the hosts. The last time England played here, against Australia, they got a world record score (481/6). Skipper Eoin Morgan though will be