ICC World Cup 2023: England are clutching at straws

England players warm up during a practice session at Lucknow on Saturday. Pic/PTI

Having entertained and delighted their vast legion of fans across the length and the breadth of the country, India's superstars will aim for a repeat on Sunday against a team that, defying all predictions, has embarked on an inexorable tailspin.

England arrived for the World Cup as the defending champions, boasting exceptional batting firepower and tremendous all-round balance. Under Jos Buttler, they had surged to the T20 World Cup title in Australia last year and were expected to steamroll most oppositions. But in a dramatic turnaround, they have been reduced to also-rans, destroyed and decimated in succession by New Zealand, Afghanistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka.

Also Read: ICC World Cup 2023, IND vs ENG: Will Jos be able to solve 'India' riddle?

Just one win to show

With a lone victory against Bangladesh, England are clutching at straws, their continued presence at the business end down to chance and favours from other outfits. England are pretty much resigned to their fate - an embarrassing early exit - and India can hasten that process if they extend their roaring run to a sixth consecutive game.

The only unbeaten nation in the tournament so far, India's primary aim, if not concern, will be to see how well they can defend a target. Each of their five wins has been earned whilst chasing, but there could come a time when they are required to bat first and that is a base Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid would like to cover before getting into the knockouts. At various stages in the past, India have been caught betwixt and between batting first, though it's unlikely this squad will be afflicted by indecision.

India did miss the injured Hardik Pandya in last Sunday's defeat of New Zealand in Dharamsala. Of the 15 in the squad, the all-rounder from Vadodara is the hardest to replace because of the balance his presence lends. Pandya is still recuperating from his left ankle injury at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore and will certainly not be available for Sunday's contest. India plugged the big gap effectively in Dharamsala and it will be interesting to see what resource they summon here, given that the conditions are expected to be different and, most likely, more spin-friendly.

India's much-needed break

A week between matches at the World Cup is a rare luxury; for India, the timing of the break couldn't have been more opportune, Refreshed and with their batteries recharged, they will target a triumphant charge to the semi-finals while being mindful of the fact that there could be the need to offset a potential loss of momentum after having played five matches in 15 days, between Australia in Chennai and New Zealand in Dharamsala.

Everyone in the top six, barring Suryakumar Yadav - who has only batted once - has got at least one decent hit, but India will have more cause for cheer if Shubman Gill can unleash a big one and rediscover the touch that has netted him more than 1,300 ODI runs in 2023.