India vs England: India's predicted playing XI for third T20I

India and England will lock horns in the third T20I of the five-match series on January 28 at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot. It is a high-scoring venue with 169 being the average score from the last 10 T20I matches. The pitch is expected to be on the flatter side with an even bounce. 

With India leading the series 2-0, this match presents a golden opportunity for the team to seal the series early. A win here would not only ensure an unassailable 3-0 lead but also allow the team to experiment with combinations in the remaining matches. The pressure will be on England to bounce back and keep the series alive, making this a must-win game for the visitors.

India's dominant performances in the first two matches have set the tone for the series. The batting lineup has been firing, with players adapting well to different conditions and situations. The bowlers too have consistently delivered, exploiting weaknesses in the English lineup. With the home crowd firmly behind, the Indian team will be eager to put on another commanding performance and clinch the series in style.

India's predicted playing XI for third T20I vs England:

1: Sanju Samson

Indian opener Sanju Samson is a technically sound and aggressive batter, who can provide stability to the Indian top order. His ability to play both orthodox and innovative shots makes him a key player in the powerplay. The attacking mindset helps him to score quick runs for the Indian side, providing them with a perfect start.

Sanju’s skill to take on pacers and spinners makes him a dangerous asset in the blue jersey for any bowling attack. The right-handed batter is yet to put his mark on the ongoing series as he has been struggling against the quality bowlers of England. In addition to his batting prowess, his sharp wicketkeeping skills also makes him a key asset for the Indian side.

2: Abhishek Sharma

Young all-rounder Abhishek Sharma is a dynamic top-order batter in the playing XI for the Indian side. The talented left-handed player is known for his clean striking and ability to attack bowlers. His ability to score runs quickly during the powerplay makes him an exciting opener.

Abhishek has been in excellent form, contributing 91 runs in the series, so far. His part-time spin can also prove to be a valuable asset on the Rajkot surface, which often assists slower bowlers in the middle overs.

3: Tilak Varma

One of the brightest young talents in Indian cricket, Tilak Varma has impressed everyone with his amazing performances in the recent T20Is. He is a reliable and composed middle-order batter, who is capable of accelerating or steadying the innings as needed. Tilak’s strength lies in his ability to rotate the strike effortlessly and pushing the run rate.

His calm presence in the middle overs is vital, especially when building or rescuing an innings. Tilak’s confidence in playing spin and pace makes him a versatile asset, particularly against England's varied bowling attack.

4: Suryakumar Yadav ©

Indian T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav has been the backbone of India’s T20I lineup for a long period. His ability to play unconventional shots and dominate bowlers across all areas of the ground makes him a nightmare for the opposition. He is one of the most feared T20 batters in the world. His composure under pressure and tactical acumen make him a strong leader for this match.

Surya’s innovative 360-degree shots make him a pivotal player in India’s success in the T20 format. His ability to anchor the innings makes him a versatile player in the Indian batting order.

5: Shivam Dube

Power-hitting all-rounder, Shivam Dube has been added to the T20I squad for the series against England, replacing injured Nitish Kumar Reddy. The Mumbai-born player is known for his towering sixes and medium-pace bowling. His big-hitting ability in the lower-middle order provides India with the firepower needed during the death overs.

The left-handed batter will be crucial to clear boundaries in the lower order. Besides, His medium-pace bowling is a useful option when the team requires a sixth bowler to ease the workload of the primary bowlers.

6: Hardik Pandya

Seasoned all-rounder, Hardik Pandya is one of the most important players for the Indian side in white-ball cricket. He provides the right balance, mixing explosive batting with his dependable medium-pace bowling. Hardik’s presence in the middle order ensures India can chase or set competitive totals.

His experience in finishing games under pressure will be pivotal, while his medium-pace bowling offers an important option during the middle overs. Hardik’s knack for breaking partnerships with the ball adds another dimension to his value.

7: Axar Patel

Underrated all-rounder, Axar Patel has been a reliable and invaluable player for the Indian Cricket Team in multiple formats. His accurate left-arm spin is a significant asset in the middle overs, as he has the ability to tie down batters and pick up crucial wickets. With the bat, Axar is known for his calm approach and ability to hit big shots under pressure, making him a dependable finisher. In recent times, he has performed really well against the English side.

8: Washington Sundar

All-rounder, Washington Sundar has been a dependable and impressive player for the Indian side in the 20-over format. His economical off-spin and solid batting capabilities have made him a key player. 

Sundar often takes on the responsibility of bowling in the powerplay, a skill that few spinners possess. With the bat, he has the technique to steady innings and the power to accelerate when needed, making him a flexible option in the lineup.

9: Arshdeep Singh

One of the greatest Indian bowlers in the T20I format, Arshdeep Singh has been an exceptional player for the men in blue in the shortest format of the game. The talented bowler has been a proven asset in the powerplay and death overs. 

Arshdeep has emerged as India’s go-to bowler in T20Is after Jasprit Bumrah. His ability to deliver pinpoint yorkers and execute variations under pressure makes him a bowler every captain wants in crunch situations.

10: Ravi Bishnoi

Young leg-spinner, Ravi Bishnoi has been in the T20I setup for India for a while now. He adds an attacking edge to India’s bowling lineup with his skills and abilities. His ability to bowl googlies and variations with pinpoint accuracy makes him a dangerous bowler in the T20 format.

Ravi’s knack for picking wickets in the middle overs is crucial for breaking partnerships and maintaining pressure on the opposition. On a pitch that may assist spinners, Bishnoi’s role becomes even more vital. He also contributed with his bat in the second T20I against England in Chennai.

11: Varun Chakravarthy

Mystery spinner, Varun Chakravarthy is known for his unique ability to bowl a variety of deliveries with subtle variations in pace and trajectory. He thrives in the middle overs, where his unpredictable bowling often ties down batters and creates wicket-taking opportunities.

On a pitch like Rajkot, where batters often dominate, his role will be crucial in breaking partnerships and ensuring that runs aren’t easy to come by in the middle overs. With Varun in the XI, India gain a bowler, who can turn the game on its head with his skill and precision.