With the series tied at 1-1, it will be an intriguing battle when India and England square-off for the third and final ODI at Leeds on July 17 (Tuesday).
Meanwhile, the men in blues are capable of coming back from this situation and had done it before. The visitors need to stick to their basics and keep their nerves cool.
Virat Kohli & Co have struggled due to lack of depth in seam bowling. However, Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s return from injury will boost the side. Kumar, who had led the bowling unit for many years now holds the key to India’s series win.
The middle-order also needs to make an impact and work on the platform created by the top-order batsmen. On the other hand, the spin duo of Kuldeep Yadava and Yuzvendra Chahal have kept them in the business. They have done a tremendous job with the ball, especially Kuldeep. He is currently the highest wicket-taker with nine scalps to his name.
India will go into this game with only one change, as Bhuvneshwar will slot in place of Siddarth Kaul.
Here is the predicted XI of the visiting side:
ROHIT SHARMA
Rohit Sharma scored a brilliant hundred in the first ODI but departed cheaply in the second outing. Sharma will have to provide his team with a blistering start in the final ODI.
SHIKHAR DHAWAN
Shikhar Dhawan has struggled to get his touch so far in this tour. However, he has some scintillating statistics to back his ability. It is just a matter of time that he gets his scoring form back.
VIRAT KOHLI (c)
Virat Kohli will curse himself for not finishing the last game and will be eager to make it up in Leeds. He has been brilliant with the bat this year and will have to lead his from the front.
KL RAHUL
KL Rahul has suddenly lost his form after getting demoted in the middle-order. However, he is confident to bounce back and create an impact.
The Karnataka batsman will have to prove himself in what can be his last opportunity in the ODI side.
SURESH RAINA
Suresh Raina finds his spot in jeopardy despite playing a 46-run knock in the last game. The southpaw failed to cash in on the start and finish the game. He will be keen to play a match-winning role in the third ODI.
MS DHONI (wk)
MS Dhoni got a lot of criticism for his slow innings in the last outing, as India failed to match the required run-rate. Dhoni still holds the key in this batting line-up and will be keen to win the match for his side.
Moreover, he has been spot on behind the stumps throughout the series.
HARDIK PANDYA
Hardik Pandya has been in and out of form in the ongoing tour. However, he will have to be in his prime form with both bat and ball if his team has to seal the series.
BHUVNESHWAR KUMAR
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is likely to return after nursing his injury. He has led this bowling attack for quite some time now and will solve Kohli’s worry with the death bowling.
KULDEEP YADAV
Kuldeep Yadav has been spectacular in the first ODI, however, was expensive in the second. But he has continued his wicket-taking spree which will keep the team boosted.
UMESH YADAV
Umesh Yadav has been expensive so far in this ODI series and has struggled to provide early breakthroughs. He will have to up his game in the series decider.
YUZVENDRA CHAHAL
Yuzvendra Chahal has been economical throughout but has struggled to provide breakthroughs. The team management will badly want their match-winner to pick wickets with the ball.
Also Read: India’s Probable Squad for England Tests
