After securing wins in Kolkata and Chennai, the focus now shifts to Rajkot as Suryakumar Yadav and co. head into IND vs ENG 3rd T20I. The Men in Blue, who have so far remained unbeaten in 16 T20I series at home, will be aiming to add a 17th to their tally on Tuesday. However, the focus will also be on Mohammed Shami and his mysterious absence from the series so far. With just five games left for Champions Trophy, it will be interesting to see what path the team management will tread on when it comes to the pacer.
IND vs ENG 3rd T20I: India aim to extend winning streak to 17
India have been in red-hot form in T20Is since lifting the T20 World Cup in 2024. Further, the team last lost a series at home against Australia in 2019. Since then, they have won 16 series at home on the trot. They will be aiming to add a 17th to their name with a win in Rajkot.
The Men in Blue will be aiming to carry on their winning momentum in IND vs ENG 3rd T20I in Rajkot as they hope to seal the series 3-0. While India’s top-order comprising of Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav need to pull up their socks and start firing, the focus will more or less be on the bowling department. The middle-order has been solid so far, with Tilak Varma being the standout performer.
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Will Shami play?
However, all eyes will be on Shami to see if he gets his first international game in 14 months. On Monday, India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak had explained that the team management had a plan for the veteran pacer. Despite speculations on the bowler’s fitness, Kotak had categorically stated there was no issue on that front and that his participation in the T20I series was skipper Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gambhir’s call to take.
“There is definitely a plan, looking at the coming matches, the ODIs. That is something the coach Gautam Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav will take a call. Fitness, definitely not a problem. Depending on how they plan to build his load, it all depends on that,” Kotak said.
Two changes likely to India’s XI
As far as India’s playing XI goes, they are expected to make a couple of changes, with Dhruv Jurel and Ravi Bishnoi expected to sit out. Instead, Shivam Dube and Harshit Rana are likely to be included in the line-up. Again, Rana’s inclusion will depend on if Shami will remain benched or make his comeback. The rest of the side will remain as is like how it was in the second T20I.
England need to buckle up
England’s batters have failed miserably so far, with Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone and Ben Duckett misfiring in both T20Is. Jos Buttler has been the only consistent batter in the side. Brydon Carse, who impressed in his maiden outing against India in Chennai, has retained his spot in the side. He will be crucial for the visitors with both bat and ball. Archer and Wood will look to do much better with the ball while Adil Rashid has little chances of being impressive in Rajkot. Overall, England need to pull their socks up across departments if they fancy a chance of keeping themselves alive in this series.
England playing XI for 3rd T20I
We have named an unchanged team for our third T20I v India as we look to pull one back in the series
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 27, 2025
The game will get underway at 13:30 GMT (19:00 local) in Rajkot tomorrowpic.twitter.com/5LQJPO3s5B
India predicted XI for 3rd T20I
Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy
