India vs England 3rd T20I Preview: Can India Seal the Series in Rajkot?

Date & Time: January 28, 2025, 7:00 PM IST / 1:30 PM GMT
Venue: Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot
Series: England Tour of India 2025
Match Status: India lead the series 2-0

Series Context

India and England are set to clash in the third T20I of their five-match series at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot. With India leading the series 2-0, this match presents an opportunity for the hosts to seal the series, while England will be fighting to keep their hopes alive. The Men in Blue have been in dominant form, winning both the first and second T20Is convincingly, thanks to stellar performances from their young guns and experienced campaigners.

India’s Dominance

India, currently ranked No. 1 in the ICC Men’s T20I rankings, have been in scintillating form. Their recent T20I record is enviable, with 23 wins in their last 25 matches, boasting a win percentage of 92%. The team has been led by the explosive batting of Tilak Varma, who has been the standout performer in the series so far. His unbeaten 72 in the second T20I in Chennai was a masterclass in composure under pressure, guiding India to a thrilling two-wicket victory.

The Indian bowling attack, spearheaded by Varun Chakravarthy and Arshdeep Singh, has been equally impressive. Chakravarthy, with 5 wickets in the series, has been a constant threat to the English batters, while Arshdeep’s ability to strike early has kept England on the back foot.

England’s Struggles

England, ranked third in the ICC T20I rankings, have struggled to find their rhythm in the series. Despite having a strong squad on paper, their performances have been inconsistent. Jos Buttler has been their lone warrior with the bat, scoring 113 runs in the series so far, but the rest of the batting lineup has failed to fire. The bowling attack, led by Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, has shown glimpses of brilliance but has lacked the consistency needed to contain the Indian batters.

England’s recent form in T20Is has been underwhelming, with just one win in their last five matches. They will need a collective effort from both their batters and bowlers to turn the tide in Rajkot.

Head-to-Head Record

India and England have faced each other 26 times in T20Is, with India holding a slight edge with 15 wins compared to England’s 11. In their last five encounters, India have won three, while England have managed two victories. The hosts will be looking to extend their dominance, while England will aim to level the playing field.

Pitch and Conditions

The pitch at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot is known for being batting-friendly, with an average first-innings score of 180+ in T20Is. The team winning the toss is likely to opt to bat first, given the trend of teams batting first winning three out of the five T20Is played here. The weather is expected to be clear, with temperatures ranging between 16°C and 33°C, providing ideal conditions for a high-scoring encounter.

Key Players to Watch

India

• Tilak Varma: The young left-hander has been in sensational form, averaging 185 in his last six matches. His ability to anchor the innings and accelerate when needed makes him a crucial player for India.
• Varun Chakravarthy: With 22 wickets in his last nine matches, Chakravarthy has been India’s go-to spinner. His variations and control have troubled the English batters throughout the series.
• Arshdeep Singh: The left-arm pacer has been effective in both the powerplay and death overs, picking up key wickets at crucial junctures.

England

• Jos Buttler: The English skipper has been their most consistent performer, scoring 113 runs in the series. His ability to take on the Indian bowlers in the powerplay will be crucial for England’s chances.
• Jofra Archer: Archer’s pace and accuracy make him a potent threat. He has already picked up 3 wickets in the series and will be key to breaking India’s batting momentum.
• Adil Rashid: The experienced leg-spinner will be crucial in the middle overs, where he can exploit any assistance from the pitch.

Probable Playing XIs

India

• Sanju Samson (wk)
• Abhishek Sharma
• Tilak Varma
• Suryakumar Yadav (c)
• Dhruv Jurel
• Hardik Pandya
• Washington Sundar
• Axar Patel
• Arshdeep Singh
• Ravi Bishnoi
• Varun Chakravarthy

England

• Phil Salt (wk)
• Ben Duckett
• Jos Buttler (c)
• Harry Brook
• Liam Livingstone
• Jamie Smith
• Jamie Overton
• Brydon Carse
• Jofra Archer
• Adil Rashid
• Mark Wood

Match Prediction

India, with their current form and home advantage, are the favorites to win the third T20I and seal the series. However, England, with their firepower and experience, cannot be underestimated. If their key players step up, they could turn the tables and keep the series alive.

Winning Probability:

• India: 64.25%
• England: 35.75%

Where to Watch

• India: Star Sports TV and Disney+ Hotstar
• United Kingdom and Ireland: Sky Sports

The stage is set for another thrilling encounter as India and England lock horns in Rajkot. Will India continue their dominance, or will England stage a comeback? Tune in to find out!
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