After a comprehensive defeat in the 2nd ODI, the third ODI would decide the fate of the series as India and England clash in an attritional encounter.
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It not only about the game, it’s about the three-match ODI series as well. Win the game, win the series, take the trophy home.
Here is India’s probable playing XI for the 3rd ODI against England at Leeds:
OPENERS
Shikhar Dhawan
Dhawan looked in great touch in the 1st & 2nd ODIs but failed to convert the starts that he got. He started his UK tour with an explosive 74-run knock in the 1st match against Ireland but since then his bat had been quiet.
Dhawan had a great run of form in IPL where he started the innings for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Although he did not have a breakout season, he played some really good knocks.
Rohit Sharma
Sharma got out to a wild hoik in the last game. However, with back to back hundreds, Rohit Sharma has cemented his spot as an opener. In the T20I series against England, Rohit Sharma opened along with regular partner Shikhar Dhwan.
Although, he failed in the first two matches, he came up with an amazing century in the third game to take his team home.
Rohit had a very bad IPL season and the Mumbaikar was not timing the ball at all. However, one hopes that after a breakout innings in the last match, fourtunes may take a turn.
MIDDLE ORDER
Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli has got starts in both the ODIs but hasn’t gone on to make a big one which is so uncharacteristic of him. He is due for a hundred anytime soon.
Most believe that his game is most suited at one down. At the same time, he will try to accelerate with his typical controlled aggression.
KL Rahul
KL Rahul’s bat has been silent ever since his unbeaten 100 in the first T20I. Scoring runs is one thing but scoring them in the manner in which KL Rahul is scoring those runs these days is something extraordinary. Rahul is certainly in a league of his own right now.
He is scoring consistently and in his own style without playing a single rash shot. Rahul has been able to maintain his strike rate and impress the entire cricketing fraternity.
Dinesh Karthik
Suresh Raina has not able able to make fulluse of his chances. In the last game as well, he batted rather slowly and allowed the Required run rate to creep up.
DK is a good option with the bat. He has been in tremendous form in the IPL and his resurgence should be cashed in.
WICKET-KEEPER AND ALL-ROUNDER
MS Dhoni
After his ultra-slow innings, Dhoni has received criticism from all corners. However, Dhoni would be an automatic selection for the team. He would take his place behind the stumps and also assume his role of a finisher.
Dhoni has shown signs of coming back to his explosive best in the IPL and if he can carry forward that form, it would be great for India.
Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya has quite decently with bat and ball till now. He is Virat Kohli’s favourite and would get a chance in the playing XI as a bowling all-rounder. If Pandya can give the team some economical overs and can come in the lower order to propel the score of the team, he would have done his job.
PACERS
Umesh Yadav
Umesh has bowled quite decently and also picked up some wickets. He is expected to retain his spot.
Umesh Yadav had an exciting IPL and performed well in the one-off Test against Afghanistan as well. In Bumrah’s absence, Siddarth Kaul could have also been played but Umesh’s chances look brighter, especially after what he did in the last match.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
After Sid Kaul did not get any success in the first two games, he may make way for Bhuvneshwar Kumar if Bhuvi is back to full fitness.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar was rested in the previous due to a back spasm and is expected to be back for this match. Frankly speaking, he has looked a bit out of sorts in the T20I series.
Although he was economical in the 2nd T20I, he could not pick up wickets. Bhuvi is a champion of swing bowling. In conditions that assist him, he would be a very lethal weapon.
SPINNERS
Yuzvendra Chahal
Yuzvendra Chahal is a crafty leg spinner and mixes his googlies and topspin as well along with the leg spin. He is not afraid of flighting the ball.
Chahal becomes all the more dangerous when the batsmen try to go after him. Chahal not only bowls economically but also gives the much required breakthroughs in the middle overs.
Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yaadav has proved to be the nemesis of the English batsmen. He is someone who has threatened the most to pick up wickets.
Every time, someone says that he has been found out, he comes up with an extraordinary performance. After a relatively ordinary performance in the last match by his standards, Kuldeep is expected to back with a bang in the 3rd ODI.
