New Delhi: Rohit Sharma-led India will look to register a 3-0 clean sweep when they lock horns with England in the third and final ODI of the ongoing three-match series at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, February 12. India have already sealed the series with an unassailable 2-0 lead with two straight victories in the first two matches.
India have produced clinical performances in both matches to win the series but will be hoping to tick a few more boxes in what will be their final ODI game ahead of the all-important Champions Trophy 2025 which gets underway later this month. India might consider making a few changes in their playing XI for the 3rd ODI in Ahmedabad to give game time to some players, who haven’t featured in the first two matches.
Will Rishabh Pant get a chance?
Rishabh Pant has been left warming the bench in the series so far with KL Rahul being preferred as the first-choice wicket-keeper batter. However, the swashbuckling left-hander might get a chance in the final 3rd ODI against England to get some game time in case his services are required in the Champions Trophy.
Pant is currently behind in the pecking order in the race for the wicket-keeper batter’s slot for the Champions Trophy and there is also a string chance that the team management might want to stuck with Rahul to give him some batting time as the right-hander hasn’t really got a chance to spend time in the middle.
Arshdeep Singh to replace Mohammed Shami?
Like Pant, Arshdeep, who is also part of India’s squad for the Champions Trophy 2025, is also yet to get a game in the ongoing ODI series against England. Arshdeep might replace senior pacer Mohammed Shami in the playing XI in the 3rd ODI in Ahmedabad on Sunday. The team management might want to give Shami a rest to keep him fresh for the multi-nation tournament.
Arshdeep can pair up with Harshit Rana in the pace attack with Hardik Pandya taking the third pacer’s role. Varun Chakaravarthy is likely to keep his spot in the playing XI as the team management might consider him to replace Jasprit Bumrah in the Champions Trophy squad if the ace pacer fails to make the cut due to his back injury.
The focus will be on Virat Kohli, who flopped on his return from injury in the 2nd ODI in Cuttack. Kohli was dismissed chap;ey on 5 by leg-spinner Adil Rashid, who once again managed to trouble him and exploited his struggles with outside off deliveries. Kohli is also on the cusp of a huge milestone as he needs just 89 runs to complete 14,000 runs in ODIs.
India’s predicted XI for 3rd ODI against England:
Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakarvarthy, Arshdeep Singh
India are expected to make a few changes in the playing XI in the 3rd ODI against England as they look to give game time to some of their players ahead of the all-important Champions Trophy 2025. Here is a look at India’s predicted playing XI for the 3rd ODI against England. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
