India vs England 3rd ODI: A Crucial Dress Rehearsal Before the Champions Trophy

India vs England 3rd ODI: As the sun sets over the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on February 12, 2025, India and England will lock horns in the third and final ODI of their series. While India has already clinched the series 2-0, this dead rubber holds significant weight for both teams as they fine-tune strategies ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy, starting February 19. Here’s a comprehensive preview of the match, packed with insights, team dynamics, and key battles to watch.

Toss and Team Changes: England Opt to Bowl First

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England captain Jos Buttler extended his toss-winning streak (12/13 in recent ODIs) and elected to field, citing dew and the desire to test their bowling-first approach after batting first in the previous two games. India, meanwhile, made three strategic changes: resting Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, and Varun Chakaravarthy (due to a sore calf), bringing in Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, and Arshdeep Singh. England replaced Jamie Overton with Tom Banton, marking his first ODI appearance since 2020.

India’s XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana.
England’s XI: Phil Salt (wk), Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c), Tom Banton, Liam Livingstone, Gus Atkinson, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Saqib Mahmood (India vs England 3rd ODI).

Pitch Report: A Bowler’s Paradise with Dew in Play

Ahmedabad’s black-soil pitch, centrally located with 66-meter square boundaries, has historically favoured bowlers. Early moisture and cracks could assist seamers, while spinners might exploit grip in the first innings. However, dew under lights could ease batting conditions, making chasing advantageous, a trend seen in 5/8 ODIs here since 2017. The average first-innings score at this venue is a modest 243, with only six instances of teams crossing 300 in 31 ODIs.

Key Players and Milestones to Watch

Rohit Sharma: Fresh off a match-winning 119 in Cuttack, the Indian captain is 13 runs shy of 11,000 ODI runs. His Ahmedabad average of 50.57 (354 runs in 7 innings) adds to the anticipation.
Virat Kohli: Needs 89 runs to reach 14,000 ODI runs, a milestone only Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara have achieved.
Joe Root: England’s anchor, with the most 50+ scores (56) in ODIs for his country, will aim to stabilize the middle order.
Adil Rashid vs Virat Kohli: Rashid dismissed Kohli cheaply in the second ODI, reigniting their rivalry.
Harshit Rana: India’s rising pace star, replacing the injured Jasprit Bumrah, faces pressure to prove his wicket-taking prowess.

KL Rahul vs. Rishabh Pant: The Batting Order Controversy in India vs England 3rd ODI

Context: More Than Just a Dead Rubber

For India, this match is a chance to exorcise the ghosts of their 2023 World Cup final loss at this venue. With Rishabh Pant still benched and KL Rahul under scrutiny, the team’s middle-order depth remains a concern. England, on the other hand, seeks to avoid a whitewash and address their middle-overs batting frailty against spin, managing just 4.65 runs per over in Cuttack. Their bowling attack, criticized for its lack of variety, must adapt to Ahmedabad’s conditions to contain India’s explosive top order.

Weather and Match Dynamics

Clear skies and temperatures around 30°C will greet players, cooling to the 20s post-sunset. Dew could play a pivotal role in the second innings, incentivizing captains to chase. With both teams eyeing the Champions Trophy, expect experimental tactics, India might test Arshdeep’s death bowling, while England could unleash Jofra Archer (if fit) to trouble Rohit early.

Conclusion: A Glimpse into the Champions Trophy Blueprint

Though the series result is decided, the 3rd ODI offers a critical rehearsal for both sides. India’s blend of spin versatility and aggressive batting contrasts with England’s quest for consistency. As Rohit and Kohli chase personal milestones, and Buttler’s men aim for redemption, Ahmedabad’s grand stage promises a thrilling contest. For fans, this is more than a match, it’s a preview of the drama awaiting in the Champions Trophy (India vs England 3rd ODI).

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