All set for round one

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Rajkot, November 13: Watching the England players sweat it out on the eve of the opening game of the one-day series, several Indians would have gone on a pleasant stroll down memory lane. Seven of the present squad were part of the team that thrashed England 5-1 in the one-day series in 2006, a series in which India were on a world record ‘chasing’ streak. Youngster Suresh Raina was playing some dream cricket and Rahul Dravid was consistently leading from the front. Those were the days when even the World Cup, scheduled for the following year, seemed within grasp.

A lot has changed after that, as India slid uncontrollably towards a first-round exit in the Caribbean. But as England's luck would have it, they’re back in these parts with Mahendra Singh Dhoni & Co once again riding the crest of a success wave.

After losing a close one-day series to England, the Indians beat world champions Australia in the tri-series Down Under. Though there were setbacks in the tri-series in Bangladesh and the Asia Cup in Karachi, India salvaged a fair bit of pride when they won the one-day series in Sri Lanka after going down in the Tests.

Add to that the recent Test triumph against Australia — which featured a fair share of the one-day stars — and it’s easy to guess the reason behind the swagger in the Indian strides. “Even if we lose a few games, we shouldn't feel low,” Dhoni said on Thursday. “We will win some and lose some, but we will always have to stay in a positive frame of mind,” said the captain.

Injury woes

While the Indians are keeping their cards close to their chests as far as the combination goes, the visitors have announced their 12. Injured pacer Ryan Sidebottom is ruled out for the opening game, as is all-rounder Luke Wright.

Pace arsenal

But despite these injuries, England have a formidable pace attack, one that skipper Kevin Pietersen will bank on. “Our pacers were our strength against South Africa. Since Harmison and Flintoff have come back into the team, they’ve excelled and we have Broad as well now. I think our bowling has been pretty special. As long as we bat well, we should do fine. I think the team that bats well will be the one that comes up trumps,” Pietersen said.