India will face England in the final match of the three-match ODI series at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Rohit Sharma’s men have already sealed the series with two identical four-wicket victories, but they will be keen to complete a clean sweep. Meanwhile, Jos Buttler’s England will be playing for pride and looking to gain some momentum ahead of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.
Match Details:
- Date: February 12, 2025
- Time: 1:30 PM IST (8:00 AM GMT)
- Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Team Overviews:
India:
India has been dominant throughout the series, with their top-order batters leading the charge. Skipper Rohit Sharma found form in the second ODI with a stunning century, while the likes of Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer have contributed crucial runs. The team management will be hoping for Virat Kohli to get a big score, especially with the Champions Trophy approaching.
The bowling unit, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, has done well in restricting England’s batting lineup. Spinners like Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel will be key on the Ahmedabad surface.
England:
England has struggled in this series, with their middle order collapsing in both ODIs. Despite strong starts from Phil Salt and Ben Duckett, the team has failed to capitalize in the middle overs. England’s bowling attack, featuring Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, and Mark Wood, has lacked the necessary penetration to trouble India’s strong batting lineup.
With the series already lost, England might experiment with their playing XI to address their weaknesses before the Champions Trophy.
Key Players:
India:
- Virat Kohli: Needs 89 runs to become the third batter in history to reach 14,000 ODI runs. All eyes will be on him to see if he can achieve the milestone.
- Rohit Sharma: Back in form with a century in the second ODI and will look to continue his dominance.
- Jasprit Bumrah: India’s pace spearhead has been exceptional with the ball and will be crucial in the powerplay.
England:
- Jos Buttler: The captain has struggled for consistency but remains England’s most dangerous batter.
- Harry Brook: Has been inconsistent but possesses the ability to turn the game around with his attacking stroke play.
- Jofra Archer: England’s pace ace will be key in restricting India’s batters on a pitch that offers early movement.
Head-to-Head (ODIs):
- Matches Played: 109
- India Won: 60
- England Won: 44
- No Result: 5
Probable Playing XI:
India:
- Rohit Sharma (c)
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- KL Rahul (wk)
- Hardik Pandya
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Axar Patel
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Arshdeep Singh
England:
- Ben Duckett
- Phil Salt (wk)
- Joe Root
- Harry Brook
- Jos Buttler (c)
- Liam Livingstone
- Brydon Carse
- Jamie Overton
- Jofra Archer
- Adil Rashid
- Mark Wood
Pitch Report:
The Narendra Modi Stadium offers a balanced surface with good bounce and carry, favoring fast bowlers in the early overs. However, as the game progresses, batting becomes easier. Spinners will be key in the middle overs, while pacers will need to make an impact with the new ball. A first-innings score of 270+ is expected to be competitive.
-
Live Streaming
India:
- TV Channel: Sony Pictures Network (Specific channel to be announced)
- Live Streaming: SonyLIV app and website
Pakistan:
- TV Channel: Asports
- Live Streaming: Tamasha App, Tapmad
Probable Scenarios:
- If India bats first: A score of 280-300 will be their target, given their strong batting lineup.
- If England bats first: They will aim for a similar score but need to address their middle-order collapses.
Match Prediction:
India has been the superior team in the series, and with the confidence of a 2-0 lead, they enter the final game as favorites. However, England will be eager to salvage pride, making it a competitive encounter. If their batting clicks, they could push India hard, but given the hosts’ current form, another Indian victory seems likely.
