England vs India 2018: Predicted XI of both teams for third T20I

Middle Order

Virat Kohli (C)

Virat Kohli is back in good form

Virat Kohli seemed to be back in form in the 2nd T20I, top scoring for India with a 38 ball 47 that included two sixes. Unless Rohit or Dhawan are dropped in favour of bringing in Karthik, Kohli will likely remain at the No. 4 position.

His return to form is a promising sign for India and they will hope that he plays a captain’s innings in the 3rd T20I to guide them towards victory.

Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina dealt with the short ball well

Suresh Raina was peppered with short balls, a well-documented weakness, by the English fast bowlers throughout his innings in the second T20I, but he was able to negate the threat effectively by shuffling across his stumps repeatedly and even hit a short ball off Jake Ball for 6. His 27 off 20 was instrumental in helping India build up a decent total as he came in after the fall of 3 quick wickets. Raina’s offspin could also come in handy for an over or two against England in the last match.

MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni played a good hand for India on the eve of his birthday

On the eve of his 38th birthday, Dhoni rolled back the years with a brutal assault in the last over of the first innings which went for 22 runs. There was some struggle before the final assault as wasn’t able to dispatch the bowling, but he pulled through in the final over to help India reach a defendable score, though it was likely a few runs below par.

Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya was good with both bat and ball in hand

Hardik Pandya played a handy role with the bat at the tail end of the Indian innings, smacking a straight six when Chris Jordan missed his yorker length, and followed that up with a good return of 1/28 in his 4 overs. He will be looking to back up his tidy performance in the 2nd T20I with a match-winning one in the decider.