India and England play the crucial fourth match of the series at Lord’s. A loss or draw for India gets England series win even in ODI, after winning the Test series and T20 match of the 2011 bilateral series. Lord’s is the venue that has seen India gave one of the worst ODI performances and later on create records not once, but twice. With overall 4 wins and 2 losses, history is in favor of India, but 7 losses in 8 games of current series has probably created a doubt in Indian team about their ability to win any match in England during this tour.
Lord’s is India’s Best ODI Ground
Indian ODI Batting Performance at Lord’s
Indian ODI Bowling Performance at Lord’s
Lord’s has been friendly to India in ODIs, unlike Test matches where it has been India’s one of the most unwanted venue around the globe. Winning 4 and losing 2 can motivate India to repeat the brave act for the third time. In 1983 they won against West Indies, when none expected. In 2002 Final they won when the odds were out and needed to break records to register the unlike victory.
Now in 2011 series, after having not won any of the eight games in the entire series, losing seven of them, Indian confidence may be boosted seeing the venue. They have good team record here, batsmen have mostly succeeded to cover the poor Indian bowling at this venue.
The World Champions are the underdog once again in England. They also need to win the match to keep hopes of at least drawing the ODI series, as now England has taken unassailable lead of 2-0 and with just 2 more matches remaining, India can start Lord’s with a victory to have a chance of equalising at least the ODI series. In fact the shameful thought of not even a single win during 2011 series may be the best Indian camp would be like to forget, and start the winning ways. But did not they desire the same before the tour began!!
Current Squads Chances
Dravid, Dhoni and RP Singh are the only players in current Indian team who have played an ODI at Lord’s. None of them have been exceptional. England players on the other hand are bubbling with confidence. They are playing with the confidence that against this depleted Indian side, they can win the match even if they chase a high score.
India needs a win to keep their chances of getting an equaliser in the last match of the series. England on the other hand wants to seal the ODI series with another victory on the World Champion Indian team. The scorecard with 338 runs each in 2011 World Cup announced the arrival of two lions of ODI. But the result was not decided. England would be also keen to announce to the World that their World Cup tie with India in the 2011 World cup helped India to win the World Cup.
Hopes
Jadeja has appeared as the key Indian player who can decide India’s fate, besides Rahane. Even Dravid and Manoj Tiwary have shown good temperament to join hands finally as a team and win the matches for India.
Can Lord’s earn India some respect now!!
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