Former India player turned famous commentator Aakash Chopra has made his predictions for the first ODI between Team India and England, which will take place at The Oval on Tuesday, July 12. However, Team India is going to the ODIs on the back of a 2-1 win in the T20I series concluded recently.

However, the hosts will be a strong side in the ODI series, with big-name players like Ben Stokes, Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow returning to the England squad as well. In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra predicted that Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan to make crucial contributions with the bat for the team as well.

He said: “Dhawan and Rohit, both openers, will together score more than 75 runs. I am not saying that it will be a 75-run opening partnership but I feel if you total both their runs it will go beyond 75. Rohit is looking good but the big score has not come. Dhawan has been waiting, he has also been made captain for the Caribbean tour.”

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Aakash Chopra opined: “My second prediction is that Phil Salt and Joe Root will together score more than 75 runs, that’s what I feel. Phil Salt plays well in ODI cricket, played well against the Netherlands.Joe Root is coming back after a year in ODI cricket. I am expecting him to score runs, the guy likes the Indian attack a lot in any case.”

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Meanwhile, Salt has amassed 352 runs at a stunning average of 58.66 in the six ODIs he has played so far, with a top score of 122 against the Netherlands.

“Chahal and Moeen will together take four or more wickets. The Oval ground is favorable for batting but you get slight turn here.So it is possible that Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja) might also pick up wickets. So you can expect wickets from Chahal, Moeen and Jaddu here. I am going with England to win one more time. Yes, I am saying England will win this encounter,” Aakash Chopra concluded.