CHESTER-LE-STREET: The glow of their 2011 World Cup triumph will fade away quickly if India fail to prevail over England in the five-match ODI series which commences on Saturday. It also gives them a chance to make amends for their disastrous show in the Test series.

It's pertinent to recall that even during the glory run in the World Cup, India were given a tough time by England, the clash ending in a tantalizing tie. Having relinquished their hold over the No.1 position in Test rankings so readily, the Indians need to aggressively defend their reputation as ODI champions.

But that's a job easier said than done. The T20 game that they lost to England a few days back has not helped the confidence of the players. The morale within the dressing room is thin and that is bound to impact team's performance.

The hosts though are taking no chances by underestimating the prowess of the visitors who can be lethal on a good day. Big names like Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Gautam Gambhir and Zaheer Khan may be missing from the lineup, but stars like MS Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar have both the inclination and ability to turn the tide of things. Tendulkar, in particular, is understandably in focus as a 100th international century is pending. He nearly made it to the landmark in the last Test at Oval but missed it by a whisker.

Dhoni, who has altered his batting style and often plays a waiting game, will have to up the ante with aggression.

What's encouraging for the Indians is that in this format, the short-pitched deliveries won't bother them as it did in the Tests.

Youngster Ajinkya Rahane played the short stuff well in the T20 game and Suresh Raina too dealt with it with aplomb.

India will need to build partnerships though. Otherwise, they made face problems galore in the ODIs too.