England beat India by six wickets in the second ODI in Pune to level the series. England’s win takes the series to a decider on Sunday with the series level at 1-1 after the first two games. The game will culminate England’s tour to India. The visitors lost the Test and the T20I series after taking the lead in both formats. India’s Predicted XI is expected to look a bit different for the next game, after a few of their players did not have a good outing.
The likes of Kuldeep Yadav and Krunal Pandya went for plenty of runs. With the Pune pitch assisting pace more than spin, these two bowlers might need to sit out in the decider. India might look to add two more pacers in the bowling line, while the batting line-up is expected to remain the same.
India’s Predicted XI For 3rd ODI Against England
Shikhar Dhawan
After his brilliant Man of the Match performance in the 1st ODI, Dhawan has silenced all his critics. Dhawan scored 98 and was the highest run-scorer of the Indian innings in the opening ODI. He may have missed a century but Dhawan was happy to contribute to India’s win. He missed out in the next game when he was dismissed for just 4. However, India would like to bank on his experience to take them over the line in the decider.
Rohit Sharma
Rohit is a man for big occasions. The stage is set for a special knock from Rohit. After scoring fifty-plus score in the first game, he missed out in the second scoring 25. Rohit too like Virat is waiting for his 30th ODI ton for a long time and probably the decider against England might be the night for him. He has had a few injury concerns off late. He jarred his left shoulder in the second game but recovered quickly.
Virat Kohli
Kohli has hit five fifties in his last six innings. However, his elusive ton in the ODIs has been going far from him. Kohli however said that he has never played for hundreds while he has played for the team. It will be interesting to see if he can get that hundred in the decider. Kohli will be striving to lead from the front and lead India to an ODI series win against the number 1 ranked England side.
Also Read: Virat Kohli Aiming To Break Plethora Of Records In 2nd ODI Against England
KL Rahul
Photo by Saikat Das / Sportzpics for BCCI
With all the talk regarding Suryakumar Yadav’s selection, KL Rahul scored a brilliant hundred for India at number four in the second game. However, it came in a losing cause but that does not take away the brilliance and the pure class away from that Rahul knock. Back in form once again, after a run of low scores, Rahul would be looking to make the most of this phase.
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Rishabh Pant
Making a comeback to ODI cricket after nearly 500 days, Pant scored a brilliant 77 in the second ODI. It was stroke-filled and timely as fast as India was concerned. Pant provided the Indian innings the much-needed momentum in the death overs. His keeping has improved as well and he is now a much faster mover around the wicket as well.
Also Read: This Is Why Rishabh Pant Was Denied Four Runs In 2nd ODI vs England
Hardik Pandya
Pandya is an automatic pick at number six. He has been in good touch with the bat and India would like to make the most of his form. However, his bowling form remains a concern. He bowled in the T20Is and has not bowled yet in the ODI series. Virat Kohli spoke in the pre-match presentation that the all-rounder’s workload and body needs to be managed properly since he is a vital part of the team. It will be interesting to see if he will be used with the ball in the decider. This remains the top 6 in India’s Predicted XI line-up for the final game.
Also Read: Virender Sehwag Slams Virat Kohli & Co’s Decision To Not Bowl Hardik Pandya
Krunal Pandya
Despite a poor show with the ball, Krunal will hold onto his spot at number seven. The all-round ability of the Pandya brothers gives the team a better balance which is emphasised repeatedly by the Indian skipper Virat Kohli. He went for 72 off his six overs in the second game and would like to better his figures in the next game.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
The senior fast bowler will lead the Indian pace attack and look to do the good work he has been doing so far. His ability to swing the ball and bowl economically in the middle overs is a great plus to have. Kohli has time and again spoken about the importance of Bhuvneshwar’s experience in the lineup and it will be required in the final game.
Also Read: Bhuvneshwar Kumar Looking Forward To Make A Comeback During England Series
Shardul Thakur
Thakur went for a few runs in the second ODI like all the other Indian bowlers in the second game. However, it his wicket-taking ability in the middle-overs which sets him apart. He has even proved it in the first over with his double-wicket over to dismiss Buttler and Morgan which started the slide for the visitors.
T Natarajan
Despite the good performance of Prasidh Krishna, the management might look at the left-arm option of T Natarajan instead of the KKR pacer. He is the only left-arm bowler in the current Indian set up and he brings a different dimension to the game altogether. His pinpoint yorkers will be important in the death overs if India are to defend or restrict the opposition from scoring big.
Yuzvendra Chahal
Kuldeep Yadav has had two forgetful outings and is likely to be dropped for the decider. Yuzvendra Chahal might replace him in the XI. He has not had a good T20I series and will look forward to a good performance. Chahal has been Kohli’s go-to bowler in the past and looks to be once again.
Also Read: India’s Predicted XI For 1st ODI vs England