England vs India, 3rd T20I - India Predicted XI

Team India was certainly taken aback with the spirit of the English side in the second T20I at Cardiff. Having won the first game on the tour, the Men in Blue entered the second T20I as the favorites to win the game. Had they won the match, the series would have well been over with the visitors notching up an unassailable lead. Up until the last over of the game, it pretty much seemed to be heading in India’s way.

But a steady head on Alex Hales saw England through on the day and the hosts managed to level the series. Now, the stage is perfectly set at Bristol for the third and the final game of the series. With the stakes being high, the two sides would want to put their best foot forward for the game.

Team India would know that they have a very good chance of registering a memorable overseas series win. In order to do so, they need to get their act stuck together yet again, just the same way as they did in the first game at Old Trafford. The team management must have already started thinking about the permutations for the game. Here we try to pick the most likely playing eleven for the Indian side for the big game.

Here is the India Predicted XI for the 3rd T20I:

Openers (Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma)

The Indian opening pair has largely struggled in the first two games of the series. Shikhar Dhawan has been in a phenomenal form in the recent times. In the first T20I against Ireland, he was the star performer for the team. However, he has thrown his wicket away, rather casually, in the two outings against England. He would hope to hit his straps right in the final T20I.

On the other hand, Rohit Sharma has also been in a decent form in the recent times. He showed signs of adaptability in the first T20I at Manchester. In the previous game, he ended up perishing cheaply after his brief struggle against the moving white ball in the powerplay. Despite this, he is likely to retain his opening slot for the final game.

Middle-Order (KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina)

The Indian middle-order looks formidable on paper. KL Rahul is expected to continue batting at number three. He was exceptional in the first T20I when his unbeaten ton had sealed the game for team India. He missed out on backing it up with a good show in the second T20I. He will be itching to make the most out of the good form that he is carrying at the moment.

Team India skipper Virat Kohli had three quiet outings before making an imprint in the previous T20I against England. Kohli top scored for the visitors with 47 to his name. He looked in a good touch and that comes as a big plus for the Indian side on the tour.

Suresh Raina has been making performing decently well in the opportunities that have come his way in the recent times. Raina continued his good form with the bat in England. However, he has been guilty of not converting his good starts to big scores. The team expects a big show from him.

Wicket-keeper (MS Dhoni)

Veteran Indian cricketer MS Dhoni recently turned 37. He has been a key member of the side over the years and is set to be in the side for the final T20I of the series. While many speculate that Dinesh Karthik could get a game, it will only be prudent to not rest Dhoni for the crucial game. Dhoni played a handy cameo in the previous game and is in a good hitting form.

All-rounders (Hardik Pandya)

All-rounder Hardik Pandya is on a six hitting spree on the tour. He has the habit of clearing the boundaries in the final overs and has settled in the role of the finisher for the time. Also, he has improved a lot with the ball in hand. He has been chipping in with crucial overs for his side and is set to continue in the same role for the final showdown of the T20I series.

Spinners (Yuzveendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav)

The spin twins – Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav – are set to retain their places in the side. Kuldeep was the wrecker-in-chief in the first T20I when he bagged a five wicket haul in the winning cause. The English side, however, did a commendable job to ensure that they did not give their wickets away to Kuldeep in the previous game. Now, the onus is on Kuldeep to bounce back with a good show.

Meanwhile, Yuzvendra Chahal has been faring decently well in the recent games. The team, however, expects a game changing and defining spell from his end in the final T20I. Needless to concede, the fate of the wrist spinners will decide the fate of the series.

Pace bowlers (Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav)

Pace bowler Umesh Yadav has been in a fine form with the new ball. He has been picking wickets early on in the innings throughout the season. His form with the new ball has been working very well for the Indian side. He, however, needs to up his skills in the death overs.

Talking about the death overs, Bhuvneshwar Kumar would hope to forget his outing in Cardiff in the death overs. After having conceded just 7 in his first three overs, Bhuvneshwar ended up conceding 15 in the four deliveries that he bowled in the final over of the game. Despite the tough outing, Bhuvi is likely to retain his place in the side as the senior pacer.

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