Kapil Dev Reviews India’s Team Combination Ahead Of England ODI Series Decider

Former India captain Kapil Dev has said England hold a slight advantage over India ahead of the third and final ODI at Lord’s on Sunday, with the hosts benefiting from familiar home conditions. The legendary all-rounder, however, believes the series decider remains evenly balanced and said India can turn the contest in their favour if the team performs as a cohesive unit.

The three-match ODI series is tied at 1-1 after India won the opening game at Edgbaston before England responded with a four-wicket victory in Cardiff. Joe Root played a key role in England’s comeback, scoring an unbeaten 99 to help the hosts chase down the target and set up a winner-takes-all encounter at the iconic Lord’s ground.

Speaking to IANS, Kapil described the contest as a 50-50 battle but gave England a marginal edge because of their familiarity with playing conditions. He said the difference could be small, estimating England’s advantage at around 51 percent, while adding that India’s chances would increase significantly if their players begin performing together as a settled unit.

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Kapil pointed out that India’s recent struggles in the T20I series and the closely fought ODI campaign suggest the team is still searching for complete balance and coordination. He said that once the Indian side starts clicking collectively, they could become a much stronger force in the decider.

India enter the final ODI with several positives despite the Cardiff defeat. Virat Kohli regained form with a composed 65-run innings, while Jasprit Bumrah continues to lead the bowling attack. However, captain Rohit Sharma will be aiming to make a bigger impact with the bat after a period of inconsistent performances.

England will once again depend on the experience of Joe Root, who remains one of their most reliable performers in ODI cricket. A victory at Lord’s would give England another home-series success, while India will look to end their long wait for an ODI win at the historic venue and secure their eighth bilateral ODI series victory over England since 2010.

Kapil also backed India head coach Gautam Gambhir amid discussions about the team’s recent results, saying decisions regarding the coach’s future should be taken by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the selection committee. He added that Gambhir has done a fairly good job and wished him success ahead of future challenges.

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