Possible India Playing XI for 3rd ODI vs England: Will Rohit Sharma Shake Up the Team with 3 Changes?
India vs England: Third ODI Preview
With a comfortable 2-0 lead in the series, the Indian cricket team is set to host England for the third and final ODI in Ahmedabad on Wednesday. As the fate of the series has already been sealed, India skipper Rohit Sharma is likely to experiment with the playing XI, giving opportunities to players like Kuldeep Yadav, Rishabh Pant, and Arshdeep Singh. The upcoming ICC Champions Trophy is also on the horizon, adding significance to the selection choices.
Possible Changes in the Playing XI
In the batting lineup, Rohit Sharma is expected to continue opening with Shubman Gill, followed by Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer at No. 3 and No. 4 respectively. Yashasvi Jaiswal may also get another chance at the top order, although he is not part of India’s revised Champions Trophy squad. Therefore, Gill is likely to retain his spot alongside Rohit.
In the middle order, Axar Patel, who has been occupying the No. 5 position, could make way for Kuldeep Yadav, who is included in India’s Champions Trophy squad. This move aims to provide crucial game time to Yadav in preparation for the tournament in Dubai.
Another potential change could see KL Rahul being replaced by Rishabh Pant in the wicket-keeper’s role. While Rahul has struggled for form in the series, Pant has shown promise and is eager to stake his claim for a permanent spot.
Arshdeep Singh, who has not featured in the series so far, might also be given an opportunity in the playing XI, potentially replacing Harshit Rana. Rana has already solidified his place in India’s squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy.
Looking Ahead to the Champions Trophy
The third ODI against England is likely to serve as a platform for India to explore different options and strategies in preparation for the Champions Trophy. Therefore, Rohit Sharma is expected to make around three changes to the playing XI, focusing on building a strong and balanced team for the upcoming tournament.
Predicted Playing XI for India
Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul/Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel/Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh/Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy, Mohammed Shami
As the third ODI approaches, all eyes will be on how the Indian team shapes up for the final clash against England, while also keeping an eye on the bigger picture of the ICC Champions Trophy.