Match Details:
- Date: January 28, 2025
- Time: 7:00 PM IST
- Venue: Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot
India and England are set to face off in the third T20I of their ongoing series at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot. With India leading the series 2-0, they have the opportunity to seal the series with a win, while England will be looking to bounce back and salvage some pride in this crucial match.
Team Overviews:
- India: India enters the third T20I in a commanding position after winning the first two matches. The team is in fine form, with key players like Tilak Varma showing maturity and composure under pressure. Varma’s unbeaten 72 in the second T20I played a pivotal role in India’s chase of 166. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav will lead the team, and players like Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, and Washington Sundar will play important roles in both departments. India will aim to close the series with a clean sweep and build on their momentum.
- England: England has had a challenging time in the series so far, but they possess the talent to turn the tide. With seasoned players like Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, and Jos Buttler in the squad, England will look to make amends and level the series. England’s bowling attack, led by Archer and Wood, has troubled India’s batters, and they will be hoping for more success in the third match. Captain Jos Buttler and key batters like Ben Duckett and Harry Brook will need to step up to keep England’s hopes alive.
Key Players:
- India:
- Tilak Varma: His match-winning knock of 72 in the second T20I shows his ability to perform under pressure.
- Hardik Pandya: A key all-rounder, Pandya’s contributions with both bat and ball will be crucial.
- Arshdeep Singh: A reliable bowler in the death overs, Arshdeep can make a difference with his sharp yorkers.
- England:
- Jofra Archer: England’s pace spearhead, Archer will need to trouble the Indian batters early with his pace and accuracy.
- Jos Buttler: England’s captain and explosive batsman, Buttler’s form is critical to England’s chances of making a comeback.
- Harry Brook: With his attacking style of play, Brook could turn the game in England’s favor if he gets going.
Head to Head: India and England have faced each other in several T20Is over the years, with India having the upper hand in recent encounters. While England has had some memorable wins, India’s strong batting lineup and depth in both departments have seen them dominate in this series so far.
Probable Playing XI:
- India:
- Sanju Samson
- Abhishek Sharma
- Suryakumar Yadav (C)
- Tilak Varma
- Ramandeep Singh
- Shivam Dube
- Hardik Pandya
- Varun Chakaravarthy
- Ravi Bishnoi
- Washington Sundar
- Arshdeep Singh
- England:
- Ben Duckett
- Phil Salt
- Jos Buttler (C)
- Harry Brook
- Liam Livingstone
- Jamie Smith
- Jamie Overton
- Brydon Carse
- Jofra Archer
- Adil Rashid
- Mark Wood
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
Pitch Report: The Niranjan Shah Stadium pitch is known to favor batters, offering a flat surface that is conducive to stroke play. Pacers may struggle to extract much from the pitch but can make an impact using variations like slower balls and cutters. As the game progresses, spinners could come into play, with some turn and bounce on offer. Teams batting first have historically had an advantage at this venue, so the toss could prove to be a crucial factor in determining the outcome of the match.
Probable Scenarios:
- If India wins the toss and opts to bat, they could post a competitive total, relying on their strong middle-order batters like Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma.
- England will need to bowl smartly, using their pace attack to limit India’s batters in the powerplay and middle overs. However, with the pitch being favorable for batters, a high-scoring game is expected.
- If England decides to chase, they will need their top-order to fire, especially Jos Buttler and Ben Duckett, to challenge India’s target.
Match Prediction: India enters this match as the favorites, given their solid form and depth in both departments. However, England has the potential to cause an upset with their experienced players. Expect a high-scoring encounter, with India likely to seal the series with a win, but England could still put up a strong fight and make it a thrilling contest.
Conclusion: The third T20I between India and England at the Niranjan Shah Stadium promises to be an exciting and crucial match. India will look to maintain their dominance, while England will aim to fight back and ensure a competitive finish to the series. The pitch, weather, and both teams’ line-ups suggest a thrilling match is in store for cricket fans.
