India will play England in a three-match ODI series from February 6 before their Champions Trophy campaign. Here's Wisden's pick of the betting odds for the three ODIs.
India enter the ODI series with a morale-boosting 4-1 series result in the preceding T20Is against England. The tourists’ ability to play spin was exposed. Not part of the series initially, England's tormentor Varun Chakravarthy has now been drafted into India's squad.
The last time the two met in an ODI series was in 2022, with India clinching the series 2-1. Their most recent clash, also a one-sided affair, came in the ODI World Cup in 2023; India beat England by 100 runs while defending just 229.
Who will win the IND vs ENG 2025 ODI series?
Ever since their T20 World Cup win in 2022, England haven’t had the best of times in white-ball cricket: they faced a group stage exit in the 2023 ODI World Cup and crashed out of the semi-final in the T20 World Cup last year. To make matters worse, their recent encounters against Australia and the West Indies resulted in series defeats. One argument that goes in England’s favour is that their white-ball side is under transition.
Varun Chakaravarthy has been added to India's squad for the ODI series against England after impressing in the T20Is, where he took 14 wickets, including a five-wicket haul in Rajkot.
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) February 4, 2025
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On the other hand, India despite having played the least ODIs (three) last year, have momentum in their side. In head-to-head matches, they have an upper hand over their opposition with 58 wins from 107 matches. The dominance is unlikely to change. This is backed by Betfair’s odds of 4/9 on India to take a series lead in the first ODI compared to England's 17/10.
Who are the players to look out for?
India’s big guns have returned for the series. Shubman Gill, who holds the record for the fastest batter to 2,000 ODI runs, is expected to shine. He was the leading run-scorer for the 2023 season, with a staggering 1,584 to his tally at an average of 63.36. Many expected Gill to carry that form into the World Cup that year, but his form tapered off. Gill, having odds of 3/1 on Betfair Exchange of succeeding in the opening match, has a point to prove.
Despite having a torrid time in Tests of late, ODIs are undoubtedly Virat Kohli’s strongest suit. Betfair Exchage’s odds of 7/2 are a testament to that. Kohli can take inspiration from his 2023 ODI World Cup exploits, in which he racked up 765 runs at 95.62, the most in a single edition of the tournament.
England will breathe a sigh of relief with the return of Joe Root, who is set to play his first ODI since the World Cup. With 6,522 runs at 47.60, Root is closing in on England’s all-time highest scorer Eoin Morgan, who has 6,957 to his tally. Root is straightaway expected to be the fulcrum of England’s batting with odds of 3/1 on Betfair Exchange.
Among bowlers, it remains to be seen whether Mohammed Shami, back from an injury hiatus riding a strong domestic showing, gets back to his vintage best. Betfair Exchange’s odds of 11/4 – same as England’s Jofra Archer – back him to come good.
