Middle Overs hold the key for Tuesday's Match

India go into the next match 2-0 up and threaten to bag another one on present form and momentum. England will have to come up with something dramatically different for this encounter. For instance, bat well through the middle overs. The spinners Ashwin, Jadeja & Co have ensured India get an iron clasp of the game during the middle overs, often leaving no room to play strokes and eventually England succumb. This has meant very little contribution from the likes of Bell, Root, Morgan, Buttler and the allrounder brigade. 

I would expect some changes in the middle order for England. Who will it be? Bell? Morgan or Root? Bell brings in experience. Roots has been among the runs in the Tests, but then this is a different format and every games you start afresh. Morgan is an asset with his big hitting and can gallop to a catchy scoring rate in no time despite a slow shaky start. England need a big one from one of these 3 guys in the middle. If either is going to make way, it would be for Gary Ballance. Ballance has been a mainstay for England during the recently concluded Investec Test Series with India, but hasnt cemented his place in the shorter version. Will he grab his chance with both hands? On recent form, i bet he will. 

Moeen Ali also becomes an automatic choice for the allrounder slot ahead of Ben Stokes. Although England have never really relied on a spinning allrounder, especially while playing in England and playing against a subcontinent side like India, who can play out less than spectacular spinners half asleep. Moeen is no Swann mind you. Barring recent exceptions like Samit Patel, England have always had more illustrious allrounders who were all pace bowlers. If I read the game correctly, Moeen Ali should make an impact with both bat and ball tommorrow. He must be eager to perform and will have to once again silence his naysayers. Moeen Ali will bring that uncanny wicket taking ability of Jadeja into the England side, although Tredwell is the better spinner of the two.

In my view the slower bowlers on both sides bowling during the middle overs will hold the key in tommorrow's match. So Ashwin, Jadeja, Tredwell (if he plays) and Moeen Ali hold the key to the match. A dry pitch should favour the spinners even more. 

For India, everything is going right for them now. And if Mohit Sharma is cleared to play in this encounter, then Dhoni gets his best XI on the field. If Mohit is unable to take the field then it is a toss between Dhawal Kulkarni and Umesh Yadav. Dhawal is a similar bowler, but Umesh Yadav has got pace. His present form though is a mystery. If Mohit has a specific role to play, then like for like, Dhawal should get the nod ahead of Umesh. Period. Expect no further changes. Dhoni is not known to make unnecessary changes. 

Elsewhere in the cricket world, Elton Chigumbura guides Zimbabweans home against the more fancied Australian side with a life saving partnership with Prosper Utseya. My hearty congratulations to the entire Zimbabwean team and their families. It is a day they all will cherish all their lives !!