England’s team players during the practice session ahead of the third T20 international against India in Rajkot on January 27, 2025.
| Photo Credit: Vijay Soneji
Different strokes work for different folks and Tuesday’s (January 28, 2025) third T20I will reveal who among India and England got their tactics right as a high-scoring encounter beckons at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot.
While the Men in Blue found success with their deep batting line-up and a spin-heavy bowling attack, the visitor’s decision to back its pace battery struck out in the first two matches.
England, however, remains committed to its strategy and has gone with an unchanged XI. India has held its cards close to its chest.
The conundrum in front of skipper Suryakumar Yadav will be Mohammed Shami’s return to international cricket. While the think-tank will welcome the veteran pacer getting more overs under his belt ahead of the Champions Trophy, India will be wary of tinkering with a winning combination and losing sight of the immediate task at hand — getting an unassailable lead in the series.
Varun Chakaravarthy & Co. set up a modest run chase in Kolkata as the touring willow-wielders found it difficult to pick the Indian tweakers. The game’s fate was sealed in the first innings as England’s 132 was hunted down in 12.5 overs with Abhishek Sharma (79, 34b) being the wrecker-in-chief.
The Englishmen, though, had their moments in Chennai. The heroics of Jos Buttler (45, 30b) and Brydon Carse (31 off 17 balls & three for 29) were not enough for a win as England let go of a golden chance to draw level. India was reeling at 78 for five in pursuit of 166 and it took a sensational knock from Tilak Varma (72 n.o., 55b) for the host to get past the finish line.
Indian batters will have to sharpen up quickly as England bowlers are not far from getting into their groove.
Buttler’s one-man show with the bat (113 runs) is a cause for concern for England. The openers did not touch double digits in their two outings and will be hoping that the flat track and short boundaries here will turn their fortunes.
Harry Brook — who lost his stumps to Varun twice in a row — did not look at his best as he sweated it out against net bowlers on the eve of the match. The England vice-captain will be keen on finding better timing under the clear skies come match-day.
A glance at the mammoth totals amassed in the recent ODI series between the Women in Blue and Ireland here is further proof that the contest will revolve around which team can pack a punch better.
An evening full of sixes is a safe bet.
The teams:
India (from): Suryakumar Yadav (Capt.), Axar Patel (Vice-captain), Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Shivam Dube and Ramandeep Singh.
England: Jos Buttler (Capt.), Harry Brook (Vice-capt.), Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Smith, Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid and Mark Wood.
Match officials: On-field umpires: K.N. Ananthapadmanabhan and Rohan Pandit; Third umpire: Nitin Menon; Match referee: Javagal Srinath.
Match starts at 7 p.m.
Published – January 27, 2025 07:11 pm IST
