IND vs ENG 5th T20I: Who has T Natarajan replaced in India’s XI?

With the blockbuster India vs England T20I series evenly poised at 2-2, it is time for the series deciding fifth and final T20I match between two heavyweight teams at the Narendra Modi Stadium. India levelled the T20I series with a brilliant 8-run victory in the fourth T20I match courtesy Suryakumar Yadav’s amazing maiden half-century and Shardul Thakur’s excellent bowling at the death. However, India have once again lost the toss in the fifth T20I and they will be batting first in the series decider.

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T Natarajan comes in for KL Rahul

After losing an important toss and being asked to bat first, Indian captain Virat Kohli mentioned that T Natarajan will be replacing KL Rahul as the only change in the playing XI for the 5^th T20I. While considering Rahul’s dismal form in the series so far, Kohli also mentioned that he will be opening the innings alongside Rohit Sharma. Natarajan’s inclusion will also add the depth in the Indian bowling department which was surely missing in the last two T20Is.

“Pretty happy, we would have bowled first as well. Looks like an even better pitch than the last game. As a side you understand the areas we need to improve and if we can get confident defending totals, this is something we are looking to execute well. We have made one change today. Wanted to bring in good balance with bat and ball. I will be moving up the order and Suryakumar is that X factor player in our team and we want to give him as many games as possible. KL Rahul misses out and Natarajan comes in for him,” said Virat Kohli at the toss.

Related: Ben Stokes walks back angrily after getting dismissed in 4th T20I

IND vs ENG: Who will win the series decider?

The Eoin Morgan-led England team have not lost a T20I series since July 2018 while India have lost only 2 of 19 T20I series since September 2017 and thus, it is expected to be a blockbuster encounter in the fifth T20I match. India also have a fantastic record in must-win games since 2016.

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