Just when it seemed that the Indian cricket team could feel confident of their chances of securing glory on their ongoing UK tour, on which they endured six T20I losses in six completed matches, the hosts pulled things back to bring the ODI series level.
In the first ODI in Birmingham, India registered a six-wicket victory through a solid collective bowling performance that was followed by half-centuries from Shubman Gill, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar.
However, England fought back in the 2nd ODI in Cardiff to record a four-wicket win with talisman Joe Root making a serene 99* in the chase of 234.
The action now moves to the storied Lord’s cricket ground in London for the third and series-deciding ODI of this IND vs ENG series.
When and where is the India vs England third ODI?
The IND vs ENG 3rd ODI will be hosted at Lord’s on Sunday, July 19. The series stands levelled at 1-1.
India will be forced to make at least one change, if not two, as Sundar has been ruled out of the 3rd ODI due to a leg injury.
Sundar was impressive with the bat in the 1st ODI with 52* but bowled only four overs. In the 2nd ODI, he was dismissed for only 2 runs and got injured while taking a run. Sundar didn’t bowl during England’s innings.
“Washington’s injury which he had when he ran his first run to mid-off. His hamstring, I think, it looks like a bad injury, and next ball he got out,” Sitanshu Kotak, India’s batting coach, said.
IND vs ENG 3rd ODI: Who Will Replace Washington Sundar?
With Sundar ruled out of the 3rd ODI against England, Kuldeep is likely to get a chance, with the wrist-spinner being seen as a potential point of difference in the middle-overs.
India don’t have another all-rounder on the bench. India’s options are Kuldeep Yadav, Prince Yadav, and Arshdeep Singh.
The management has not shown a lot of confidence in Kuldeep in recent times. Kuldeep underperformed in the IPL and since then has featured in only one of India’s 13 games across the three formats, having been dropped from the T20I squad.
However, the Lord’s surface has been observed to be helpful to seam bowlers, and that could prompt India to perhaps bring in Arshdeep Singh, who offers a left-arm angle and ability to move the new ball.
Whether it’s Kuldeep or Prince or Arshdeep, regardless of who is picked of these three, India would be losing out on the batting depth that Sundar brought.
There is also likely to be another change: KL Rahul was said to be ill and missed the 2nd ODI, with Ishan Kishan replacing him as the keeper and middle-order batter. Kishan was dismissed for a solitary single by Sam Curran. Rahul is expected to return for the crucial series-decider at Lord’s.
India are unlikely to opt for another combination: replace Sundar with Rahul and retain both Kishan and Rahul in the playing XI given India’s batting struggles and collapse in Cardiff. This decision, however, would mean that India will have to depend on Shivam Dube for 10 overs. This would leave no room for a bad day for any of the five bowlers: Bumrah, Brar, Prasidh, Axar, and Dube.
This combination is too risky, especially for a series-deciding ODI. Nonetheless, Kuldeep seems the frontrunner to replace Sundar, and Rahul, if fit, will take back his spot from Kishan. Axar could see a promotion in his batting position to break up the chain of right-handed batsmen.
IND vs ENG: India Playing XI For 3rd ODI – Predicted
Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (c), Virat Kohli, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Kuldeep Yadav, Shivam Dube, Jasprit Bumrah, Gurnoor Brar, Prasidh Krishna
There is also a huge subplot developing regarding the Lord’s ODI. As per Cricinfo, the BCCI selectors have told opener Rohit Sharma that he is not part of their plans for the 2027 World Cup and want to try out other openers in the coming ODI series, leaving it to Rohit to take a call on his future.
Rohit has had two scratchy knocks so far in this series, of 11 (21) and 26 (47), and Sunday’s Lord’s ODI could potentially be his last international match.
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