Co-hosts India will be looking forward to extend their winning start to the ICC World Cup 2011 by trouncing England at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on Sunday, 27 February.
Although both sides are coming into the game after defeating tournament minnows, Dhoni’s side holds an edge over the English opposition as the former sealed a comfortable 87-run win over co-hosts Bangladesh, while Strauss’s men struggled to beat tournament-outsiders, Netherlands.
However, Sunday’s game could become a closely-contested game if both the outfits come up with their full strength squads.
This would be India’s first World Cup game in front of a home crowd as the Men in Blue contested eastern neighbours, Bangladesh, in the latter’s backyard and the co-hosts are expected to be a bit under pressure. And this according to England captain is the weak point, his side would like to cash in on.
"We just need to focus on playing smart cricket”, said Strauss on Saturday. “In some ways, perhaps there is more pressure on India than us in this game. We want to play according to our plans and put them under pressure”.
Sehwag, the roaring gun of India, might not be fully fit as the swashbuckling opener will be coming into the match after sustaining blows to his knee and a rib injury.
However, the team staff has claimed the Delhi batsman is completely fit for the high-profile game.
India is expected to bring in ace pacer, Ashish Nehra, in for tomorrow’s game and S Sreesant, in all probability, will make a way for his inclusion.
England’s bowling and fielding would be a major cause of concern as the low-ranked Dutch side amassed almost 300 runs against the Poms in the tournament opener.
"We bowled too many short balls, especially with the new ball", said Stuart Broad. "Our fielding was also bad, but I won't say that is a worry because we are a good fielding side".
Broad, a key pacer for England, is also struggling with an upset stomach although the team management is hopeful about his recovery before the match.
India has one of the strongest batting line-ups in the tournament and the way the Indian batsmen outclassed the Bengali attack, the home side is expected to cross the 350-mark, unless England raise their bowling and fielding game.
The visitors will be expecting their new-ball bowlers, James Anderson, and, Stuart Broad, to hit top gear soon as the duo has the unenviable task of putting a halt to the blitz of the hard hitting Indian openers.
Graeme Swann was the most successful English bowler in their six-wicket win over Netherlands and it was being said that the side might open with a spinner as did West Indies and South Africa in their opening games of the tournament.
But Broad dismissed the prospects of England opening its bowling with a spinner.
Strauss and his armoury can take heart from the fact that the Indian bowlers conceded 283 runs to the Bengali Tigers in the tournament opener and the underdogs lasted the complete 50 overs.
If Strauss’s men can do that tomorrow, the result would be nothing but an upset to many.
India (probable playing XI): Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni (Capt and wicketkeeper), Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Piyush Chawla/Ashish Nehra, Zaheer Khan, Munaf Patel
Engalnd (probable playing XI): Andrew Strauss (Capt), Kevin Pietersen, Jonathan Trott, Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Ravi Bopara, Matt Prior (wicketkeeper), Graeme Swann, Michael Yardy, Stuart Broad, James Anderson
Although both sides are coming into the game after defeating tournament minnows, Dhoni’s side holds an edge over the English opposition as the former sealed a comfortable 87-run win over co-hosts Bangladesh, while Strauss’s men struggled to beat tournament-outsiders, Netherlands.
However, Sunday’s game could become a closely-contested game if both the outfits come up with their full strength squads.
This would be India’s first World Cup game in front of a home crowd as the Men in Blue contested eastern neighbours, Bangladesh, in the latter’s backyard and the co-hosts are expected to be a bit under pressure. And this according to England captain is the weak point, his side would like to cash in on.
"We just need to focus on playing smart cricket”, said Strauss on Saturday. “In some ways, perhaps there is more pressure on India than us in this game. We want to play according to our plans and put them under pressure”.
Sehwag, the roaring gun of India, might not be fully fit as the swashbuckling opener will be coming into the match after sustaining blows to his knee and a rib injury.
However, the team staff has claimed the Delhi batsman is completely fit for the high-profile game.
India is expected to bring in ace pacer, Ashish Nehra, in for tomorrow’s game and S Sreesant, in all probability, will make a way for his inclusion.
England’s bowling and fielding would be a major cause of concern as the low-ranked Dutch side amassed almost 300 runs against the Poms in the tournament opener.
"We bowled too many short balls, especially with the new ball", said Stuart Broad. "Our fielding was also bad, but I won't say that is a worry because we are a good fielding side".
Broad, a key pacer for England, is also struggling with an upset stomach although the team management is hopeful about his recovery before the match.
India has one of the strongest batting line-ups in the tournament and the way the Indian batsmen outclassed the Bengali attack, the home side is expected to cross the 350-mark, unless England raise their bowling and fielding game.
The visitors will be expecting their new-ball bowlers, James Anderson, and, Stuart Broad, to hit top gear soon as the duo has the unenviable task of putting a halt to the blitz of the hard hitting Indian openers.
Graeme Swann was the most successful English bowler in their six-wicket win over Netherlands and it was being said that the side might open with a spinner as did West Indies and South Africa in their opening games of the tournament.
But Broad dismissed the prospects of England opening its bowling with a spinner.
Strauss and his armoury can take heart from the fact that the Indian bowlers conceded 283 runs to the Bengali Tigers in the tournament opener and the underdogs lasted the complete 50 overs.
If Strauss’s men can do that tomorrow, the result would be nothing but an upset to many.
India (probable playing XI): Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni (Capt and wicketkeeper), Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Piyush Chawla/Ashish Nehra, Zaheer Khan, Munaf Patel
Engalnd (probable playing XI): Andrew Strauss (Capt), Kevin Pietersen, Jonathan Trott, Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Ravi Bopara, Matt Prior (wicketkeeper), Graeme Swann, Michael Yardy, Stuart Broad, James Anderson
