Team India had an incredible 2-1 ODI series triumph against England. India finally won an ODI series in England after 2014. It was a series where the batting orders of both teams struggled against the bowling attacks.
England was bowled out for 110 in the first ODI, while India could only manage 146 runs chasing 247 to win in the second match.
The third and final encounter also saw India struggling to chase down 260 runs and were 72/4 at one stage, before Rishabh Pant (125*) and Hardik Pandya (71) rescued them with a 133-run partnership and took the team to a 5-wicket win in Manchester.
In spite of the series win, one concern still plagues Team India. Their top three batsmen- especially Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli have failed to fire or find form. Rohit Sharma did score a magnificent half-century in the first game but has failed to replicate that form in the following two innings scoring 0 and 17 runs in the second and third ODI respectively.
Sreesanth says India would have won last three World Cups had he played under Kohli's captaincy
The former India opener, while in conversation on ESPNCricinfo, was worried about the form of the Indian top order and mentioned that the team management needs to focus there as well.
"India have always played well when the top three have scored runs. But that didn't happen in the last two ODIs and that is something they need to look at. Virat Kohli is struggling at the moment and Shikhar Dhawan is looking rusty. Rohit Sharma also hasn't been as consistent as we'd want him to be. But it would still make Sharma happy if the middle-order batters are playing this well," Jaffer said in an interaction with ESPNcricinfo.
"India need to look at the No.8 position in their batting order. They can bring in someone like Shardul Thakur or Deepak Chahar. They cannot afford to have such a long tail going forward, especially with the World Cup coming up. If Hardik Pandya bowls like this, it gives India an opportunity to play a bowling all-rounder," added Jaffer.
(ESPNcricinfo inputs)
