India Look to Clinch Series as Rajkot Promises Another Run-Fest

After securing a 2-0 lead in the five-match T20I series, India will aim to seal the series against England in the third T20I at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot on January 28. With Rajkot's track historically favoring batters and both teams boasting attacking lineups, fans can expect another high-scoring contest.

Key Dynamics Shaping the Match

• India's Batting Strength: The contrasting half-centuries by Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma have been highlights of India's successful chases. However, skipper Suryakumar Yadav and wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson are due for big scores.
• England’s Struggle with Spin: England’s top order has faltered against India’s spinners, with Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel being particularly effective.

Pitch and Conditions

The Rajkot pitch is tailor-made for batters, with an average first-innings score of 189 in T20Is. Short boundaries, a flat deck, and little grass mean bowlers will have their work cut out. Chasing teams have traditionally had the upper hand here.

Team Updates

India:

• With Shivam Dube and Ramandeep Singh available as replacements, India has flexibility in its combination.
• Mohammed Shami, confirmed fit, could replace Ravi Bishnoi if India opts for an additional pacer.
• All eyes will also be on Sanju Samson, who spent significant time preparing against short-pitched deliveries ahead of facing England’s pace attack.

England:

• The visitors will field an unchanged XI, relying on their pace-heavy strategy complemented by leg-spinner Adil Rashid.
• Mark Wood and Jofra Archer will be key to troubling India’s top order, while Brydon Carse will look to replicate his middle-order breakthroughs.

Probable XI

India:
Sanju Samson (WK), Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Mohammed Shami/Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy

England:
Philip Salt (WK), Jos Buttler (C), Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Smith, Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Adil Rashid

Key Match-Ups

• Varun Chakravarthy vs. Harry Brook: Brook has struggled against wrong'uns, a weakness India will target.
• Arshdeep Singh vs. Philip Salt: Short balls from Arshdeep have troubled Salt, and this could be a recurring ploy.
• Jofra Archer vs. Sanju Samson: Archer's accuracy in the powerplay could test Samson early on.

Did You Know?

• Rajkot’s run rate in T20Is (8.91) is among the highest for Indian venues.
• Harry Brook has been dismissed six times by googlies in 35 deliveries, indicating his struggles against leg-spinners.
• England has lost 17 wickets to Indian spinners across three T20Is since 2024.

Quotes

• Sitanshu Kotak (India Batting Coach): “Every player has different ways to play. My role is to make them comfortable and aid where they can benefit.”
• Mark Wood (England Pacer): “You’ve got to believe. We’ve three games to play, three chances to win. Hopefully, we can close the gap and get the win in this one.”

Prediction: India holds the momentum and looks poised to clinch the series, but England’s desperation to stay alive could make this a cracker of a contest. Expect fireworks on a batting-friendly Rajkot track.