Mark Wood insists English batsmen should deny Kuldeep Yadav early wickets to nullify his effect

Kuldeep Yadav has been England's main tormentor in the ODI series so far grabbing nine wickets in the two matches so far. He took 6/25 in India's eight-wicket win in the first match while he got 3/68 in the second ODI which his side lost by 86 runs. Mark Wood stated that England should work on denying Indian wrist spinner early success to win the third and series deciding ODI on Tuesday.

"It's definitely a plus point for our players to bat well against him (Kuldeep; in the second match). I know he still took wickets but we managed to get some runs against him and put him under a little bit of pressure," Mark Wood said at the pre-match press conference as quoted by TOI.

"I think the main thing is he keeps getting wickets in his first over. So I think that's the key going into this game. If he gets a wicket in early overs his confidence is up. So if we can try to nullify that wicket-taking option that he's got straight away, then hopefully we can shift the momentum against him to us."

England, who were considered the favorites for next year's World Cup, have been handed a reality check by the talented Indian side in the ongoing series. They had been impressive in last season's Champions Trophy before being knocked out in the semi-final by Pakistan. To ensure that does not happen next year, Wood said that England would go into the series finale against India as a must-win game akin to a World Cup semi-final or final and would try to adapt to pressure situations accordingly.

"I think for Test match side of things, it is great to get certain people out or get runs against them but it is more of impact for World Cup. If we can use this game as a semi-final, or a final, a must-win with the pressure on we can learn what we are doing wrong if we don't win or what we are doing right if we do win. Over the past year we have dealt with these situations well and hopefully we can carry on that trend tomorrow," he said.

"It doesn't feel like a do-or-die game. I mean we're trying to treat it like that but it just feels like another game. It's a big game against a very good team and we want to try and impress. I wouldn't say it's much different, it's the same stuff.”

After winning in London, England have only one worry i.e. Ben Stokes, who has looked woefully out of touch. But Woods said that it was just a matter of time before the all-rounder shows his class yet again.

"It's a chance for him to prove how good he is again and he doesn't need to. Everyone knows how good a player he is but obviously coming back from a bit of time out, he's probably desperate to do well and be that match-winner again.

"Obviously India are a quality team so maybe they'll have a game like we'll have a game plan to certain batters, they'll have a game plan for him (Stokes) and it might just take him a little bit of time to work out certain situations that try to stay away from his strengths. But I mean he's got good game management on field I think," he added. 

INDIA vs ENGLAND! Will we make it on top? Start Predicting Today!

Play & Win Today! Click here here to download Nostra Pro & get ₹40 Joining Bonus!

Predict Matches & Win Cash!! Play NostraGamus on Android - predict ANY Sport & win upto ₹10 Lakhs! Click here to Download & Get ₹40 Cash Bonus!