India cricket team - (Source: AFP)
On Sunday, India and England will lock horns for the 3rd and final ODI at the mecca of cricket, Lord’s. The series is level at 1-1, and the upcoming match will decide the fate of the tour. The Men in Blue started the series with a win, but England bounced back in the 2nd match.
Talking about the 2nd ODI, India lost an early wicket of Rohit Sharma, but Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer's fifties helped India put 178 runs on the board with just 3 wickets. However, the Men in Blue lost the next seven wickets for 55 runs, tumbling for 233 runs.
In reply, England chased down the target with four wickets in hand. Now, India have a few concerns to address before the 3rd and final ODI.
India vs England: Preview
England are most likely to go ahead with the same playing XI as they are fresh off a win. However, India will be making a few changes.
For India, the big question is Rohit Sharma’s retirement. But other than that, an update on KL Rahul’s illness and Washington Sundar’s replacement is also unknown. Hence, this article will shed light on India’s predicted playing XI for the 3rd ODI vs England.
India Predicted Playing XI vs England- 3rd ODI
Openers and Top Order (Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli)
At the top, Rohit Sharma will play his potential last ODI. Reports suggested that the selectors have conveyed to the Hitman that they are looking at Yashasvi Jaiswal to open the innings with Shubman Gill.
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Hence, the 39-year-old will look to make a mark on potentially his last game for India. Rest, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli will continue to bat at No.2 and No.3. Both the batters have done well so far and have a fifty-plus score to their name.
Middle Order and All Rounders (Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul, Axar Patel)
In the middle-order, Shreyas Iyer is fresh off a brilliant knock in the 2nd ODI and will retain his place at No.4. Rest, Ishan Kishan will keep his place and play in place of injured Washington Sundar.
As pointed out by Shubman Gill in the 2nd ODI, India’s lower middle-order is a problem. Hence, India need to add batting depth to their XI. At No. 6, KL Rahul will return to the side after missing out in the previous match because of illness.
Rest, Shivam Dube might not get another chance in the series, and Axar Patel will be the sole all-rounder in the playing XI, batting at No.7
Bowlers (Gurnoor Brar, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav)
Among the bowlers, the idea should be to go for specialist bowlers. Hence, Gurnoor Brar, Jasprit Bumrah, and Prasidh Krishna should be the three seamers. Further, Kuldeep Yadav should be given his first match of the series because they want to have a frontline spinner in the playing XI.
Varun Chakaravarthy is out of the team due to injury, and the Men in Blue were using two non-specialist spinners to complete the quota of 10 overs.
India Predicted Playing XI vs England- 3rd ODI
Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul, Axar Patel, Gurnoor Brar, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav
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