Without wishing to disparage Dawid Malan, Wood would be the biggest loss. HIS slippery pace and HIS ability to bowl the bowlers on a pitch that lives up to its name with small square boundaries would give them the best chance against India’s unstoppable Suryakumar Yadav, who has made 225 runs in five matches so far with a barely believable hit rate. of 193.96. The resurgence of Virat Kohli (246 runs, avg. 123, s/r 138.98) will be a formidable obstacle for England, but they have managed to tame him many times in the past, even at his imposing best. Indeed, Adil Rashid and Wood’s two likely replacements, Chris Jordan and David Willey, have claimed his wicket twice each. But Sky Yadav, in five innings against England, has made 57, 32, 39, 15 and 117, hitting 13 sixes, 29 fours and has a strike rate of 195.98. Any of India’s top five could take the game away from England. Losing Wood would probably help them because no matter how great they are, nobody likes 96 mph bouncers. England were very good against New Zealand and bowled very well against Sri Lanka before their top swings. England are very deep and Harry Brook has contributed in their four matches but will have to be at their best to beat Mohammed Shami and Bhuvi Kumar, who once again stepped up in Jasprit Bumrah’s absence, especially of the former who took three for 38 in his only appearance against them. And also, of course, watch out for Ravi Ashwin with the ball in hand, both the striker and the non-striker
