Picture Credit: Twitter
Team India will take on hosts England in the second ODI on Thursday (14 July) at Lord's, in London. After thrashing the hosts by 10 wickets in the series opener at Kennington Oval, Rohit & Co. will look to seal the series by winning the second game of the series. The multi-format bilateral series is heading towards its conclusion as both the teams will play the third and final game of the series on Sunday (17th July).
Post India versus England series, both the teams will have another assignment waiting for them as Men in Blue will tour West Indies for white-ball series, while England will host South Africa for three-ODIs, followed by as many as T20Is and Test matches. Two days after the conclusion of India versus England series, the hosts will continue to play 50-over format as they will kick start yet another bilateral series with South Africa on the 19th of July.
In a recent development, former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer, widely recognized for his social media memes, has stated that the tri-series between India, England and South Africa would have been more productive for the teams as well as interesting to watch for the fans than a separate bilateral series.
Taking to Twitter, Jaffer wrote, "SA are in England. Their ODI series starts on 19th July. England v India ODI series finishes on 17th July. I think this could have been a really good Tri Series. Would have been great for the fans as well. Tri series > Bilateral. #ENGvIND"
Speaking of India's bilateral contest against England, visitors started their tour on a low note as India lost their one-off Test match at Edgbaston, but recovered well for the white-ball series. The touring party defeated England in a three-match T20Is 2-1, and have emerged favourites to win the ODI series after defeating the hosts in the first of the three One-Day Internationals by 10 wickets.