IND vs ENG: 3 likely changes in India’s playing XI for 3rd ODI

Team India witnessed a complete thrashing in their 6-wicket loss to England in the first India vs England ODI match on Friday in Pune. While chasing a challenging total of 337 runs, England’s batting trio of Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes made an absolute mockery of the Indian bowling attack having registered a smashing 6-wicket win with 6.3 overs to spare. England have now levelled the three-match ODI series 1-1 and the final ODI match is scheduled on March 28 in Pune where the visitors will have a great opportunity to win their first series in this India tour after having lost both the Test and T20I series. In a must-win clash, India will also look to make some changes in their playing XI to stop this explosive England batting line-up.

3 likely changes in India’s playing XI for the India vs England 3^rd ODI

1. Yuzvendra Chahal replaces Kuldeep Yadav

India chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav has looked below-par in the IND vs ENG ODI series so far conceding figures of 0 for 68 and 0 for 84 in the first and second ODI respectively. Indian captain Virat Kohli will be quite keen to bring back leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal in place of Kuldeep in the playing XI for the crucial series deciding encounter. Chahal has been a brilliant wicket-taking bowler for India in the middle-overs stage in the recent few years having taken 92 wickets in 54 ODIs at an economy of 5.21.

2. T Natarajan in| Kuldeep Yadav out

With Hardik Pandya not contributing with his bowling abilities in the in the ENG vs IND ODI series so far, India has certainly missed the services of a sixth bowling option against this explosive England batting. However, with the Pune track not offering much help to the spinners, the Indian team management could be tempted to play T Natarajan as the fourth seam bowler and drop Kuldeep Yadav from the playing XI in the third ODI match. Natarajan does not have a lot of experience at the international level but he can trouble the England batters with his consistent yorkers and disciplined bowling.

3. Washington Sundar replaces Krunal Pandya

While playing in his debut ODI match against England, Krunal Pandya smacked a quick-fire knock of 58 runs off just 31 balls and also took a wicket. Although, the southpaw all-rounder hasn’t done anything wrong to be dropped from the side but it has been his inconsistent bowling which has been a major worry for the hosts in the last two ODIs. This could force India to bring off-spinner Washington Sundar in the playing XI for the final game against this England batting line-up that includes 4 left-handers. Sundar did trouble the English batsmen a lot during the T20I series picking 4 wickets in 5 matches.

IND vs ENG: Will England play Mark Wood in the 3rd ODI?

After a staggering 6-wicket victory in the second ODI match, England will most likely field the same playing XI in the final match but they can think of bringing back their specialist speedster in Mark Wood for somebody like Tom Curran. Wood has been England’s best bowler in this white-ball leg of the India tour and most importantly, he has continuously troubled the Indian batsmen with his extra pace while Curran hasn’t looked that effective in this series so far.

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