Broad wants fearless aggression against India

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Stuart Broad wants England to stand toe-to-toe with India when the two sides meet in one of the most eagerly anticipated World Cup group matches in Bangalore on Sunday. The rush for tickets, which led to controversial scenes around the stadium, highlighted the huge interest in the game and it promises to be a frenzied atmosphere but Broad believes that could help England.

India are the favourites, a position further boosted by England's shoddy display in the field against Netherlands which left them chasing 293, but Andrew Strauss's team has shown the ability to lift their performances for high-profile games and Broad wants to silence the home support.

"We played a one-dayer here a few years ago and it was absolutely electric," he said. "The sound bounces around the ground and I think we have to use that to our advantage. There is no need to panic from a bowling point of view. It is just one game but we did not get it how we wanted to. We got the win under our belt and we can move forward to what is an exciting prospect on Sunday.

"There is no reason why we can't come out and express ourselves like we have done against the likes of South Africa and Pakistan. We can play good one-day cricket and it is important we show that on Sunday."

Although the bowling and fielding display against Netherlands verged on the shambolic at times it was a professional performance from the batsmen to chase down 293 with eight balls to spare. Strauss led the way with 88 and there was another half-century for Jonathan Trott before Paul Collingwood and Ravi Bopara held their nerve to seal the win.

England will be confronted by an India attack that have home advantage led by Zaheer Khan and followed by Harbhajan Singh, but Broad insisted there won't be any half measures. "The thing about batting in the sub-continent is that you have to have a positive mindset at all times. That is the way we have tried to play our one-day cricket over the last 18 months," he said. "We have been very fearless and if you think a shot is on you take it on. Our batsmen are excited about facing the Indian bowlers. We know they are a world-class attack and team."

This match was meant to be played in front of 100,000 people at Eden Gardens but the match had to be moved when the ICC ruled the stadium in Kolkata wouldn't be ready in time. England's players have expressed disappointment at missing out on that occasion, but the shift to Bangalore could work in their favour.

The surface is more likely to offer something for quick bowlers, especially after some heavy rain in the city on Friday, which will mean that Broad, James Anderson and Tim Bresnan can be more of a threat because there remains a feeling that India's batsmen are most venerable on pitches with extra bounce.

However, Broad admitted that no one was quite sure what to expect and the option of two spinners, meaning a recall for Michael Yardy, will be seriously considered. "KP played a lot of his IPL cricket here and said it went through quite nicely, so there are going to be a few different thoughts on the wicket," he said.

"In two practice matches [involving Australia], the ball did spin and if they are to play like that I am sure we will play two spinners. But we can only wait and see on Sunday morning how the pitch has turned out before we make a decision on where we go with that."

© ESPN EMEA Ltd.