Mumbai (TIP): An image of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, arms around their shoulders, trended on social media on Wednesday as Team India made the most of a rare leisure day in their bio-bubble in Pune. But come Friday, they will be back to business as the hosts look to overpower England in the second ODI and seal the three-game series.

Keeping England’s aggression in check may not be easy for India and the visitors’ belligerence seldom dips. After putting up a 318-run target in the first ODI, the Kohli-led Indian team had to weather an England batting storm that saw them notch 131/0 in just 14 overs, although the chase faltered in the latter stages with Shardul Thakur striking crucial blows. Credit should go to debutant pacer Prasidh Krishna (4/54), Thakur (3/37) and the experienced Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/30) for stopping England’s onslaught. The Indian spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Krunal Pandya – who combined went for 127/1 in 19 overs – were unimpressive. If Hardik Pandya is going to be used sparingly in bowling, then getting the spin combination right becomes even more vital.

Krunal, after conceding 36 in his first three overs, managed to pull things back but Yadav looked listless in his nine overs. The Chinaman bowler, who has been regularly overlooked for a place in the XI in the last few months, couldn’t do any good to his future prospects. His numbers show a worrying trend. Yadav, picked as a mystery spinner after the 2017 Champions Trophy, took 93 wickets at an average of 23 and economy rate of 4.95 till the 2019 World Cup. After that, he has averaged 51.41 for his 12 wickets, conceding 6.1 runs per over.

In Yuzvendra Chahal, India has an able replacement but bringing in the leg-spinner could be a risk against a batting line-up comprising attacking left-handers like Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali and Sam Curran. Besides, Krunal, whose place in the team looks assured thanks to his 31-ball 58* on debut in the first ODI, also brings the ball into the left hander. Washington Sundar is the other spinner in the squad but India may not be confident of using him as a lead spinner in the ODIs.          Source: HT