India and England have taken contrasting routes ahead of the NatWest Challenge opener at the Trent Bridge ground in Nottingham on Wednesday and it could be the difference between progress and retardation in days to come.
England have gone for a complete reliance on youngsters while India is sticking to its plan even in face of depressing results, believing form is temporary and class is permanent.
After a disastrous performance in the triangular one-day series this summer, during which they won only one of their six games against the West Indies and New Zealand, England sacked five players and infused fresh blood that they feel will serve them well in 2007 World Cup.
India, on the other hand, despite the setbacks in Sri Lanka and Holland, are still going with the tried and tested rather than blooding youngsters like Dinesh Karthik of Tamil Nadu, who was a mere passenger in Holland and might find himself in a similar role in England.
England have put their faith in the likes of Gareth Batty, Alex Wharf, Anthony McGrath and Andrew Strauss as they look to build the nucleus of the new side. It is largely an inexperienced side despite the presence of Michael Vaughan, Marcus Trescothick, explosive all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, Darren Gough and Ashley Giles.
But the promise of fast bowlers Steve Harmison and James Anderson gives them hope of settling the insult of the NatWest Trophy of 2002, when India lost only one game to them and successfully chased 326 in the final at Lord's.
Much has changed since then as the Indians have dipped in form in one-day cricket despite reaching the finals of the 2003 World Cup.
England, like India, have made rapid strides in Test cricket and have score lines of 3-0, 3-0 and 4-0 from their last three series, yet in one-day cricket they also continue to flounder.
England have had a disastrous year in one-day cricket, winning only two games from seven in the West Indies and then at home returned a score of 1-4 from six NatWest games.
Harmison and Anderson, despite at their potential best in Tests, have gone for runs in one-day cricket and the presence of old warhorse Darren Gough is expected to rein in the young colts.
Gough's performance this summer in the twilight of his career has been exemplary as the Yorkshire veteran has an economy rate of less than five per over.
In the batting, Vaughan and Trescothick are proven bats and the induction of fresh blood like Andrew Strauss has been most welcome.
Strauss already has one century and three fifties from his short career of 11 matches and his strike-rate of 75-plus from 100 balls faced is not bad either.
Then there is Flintoff who is acquiring the reputation of a one-man army. Wicketkeeper-batsman Geraint Jones and Paul Collingwood are brisk scorers in all forms of cricket.
Vikram Solanki might not have had much runs under his belt this season but he remains electric in the field.
India, on the other hand, is banking on its batting stars to carry the day. Despite the absence of Sachin Tendulkar, the Indians are rich in batting wealth.
Most of them carry an injured pride from recent matches and would like to recapture their batting glory.
Tendulkar's absence also gives a chance to skipper Sourav Ganguly to take position as opener and Laxman to move up the ladder at number three.
Both Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid have much to play for in the coming weeks; the same is the case with Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif.
The bowlers once again have been placed in the hands of experienced coach Bruce Reid -- even though his is an ad-hoc arrangement.
Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble will again vie for the spinner's slot in the team. As of now, Laxmipathy Balaji, Irfan Pathan and Ashish Nehra look certain starters.
Teams (from):
England: Michael Vaughan (captain), Marcus Trescothick, Vikram Solanki, Andrew Strauss, Paul Collingwood, Geraint Jones, Anthony McGrath, Gareth Batty, Andrew Flintoff, Darren Gough, James Anderson, Steve Harmison, Alex Wharf and Ashley Giles.
India: Sourav Ganguly (captain), Virender Sehwag, VVS Laxman, Rahul Dravid, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif, Rohan Gavaskar, Irfan Pathan, Laxmipathy Balaji, Ashish Nehra, Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble.
Hours of play (IST): 3 p.m to 6.30 p.m, 7.10 p.m till close of play.
