England's predicted playing XI for the 3rd ODI against India

Virat Kohli and Jos Buttler will lead their sides into battle at the MCA Stadium in Pune
Virat Kohli and Jos Buttler will lead their sides into battle at the MCA Stadium in Pune

The two best limited-overs sides in the world, India and England, face off in the third and final ODI at the MCA Stadium in Pune on Sunday.

England attained the top spot in the Cricket World Cup Super League table with their 6-wicket win in the 2nd ODI. With the batsmen clicking consistently, the visitors will look to put in a comprehensive all-round bowling display to support their attacking batting.

Here is England's predicted playing XI for the 3rd ODI against India.


Openers: Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow

Roy is one half of arguably the most lethal opening combination in the world
Roy is one half of arguably the most lethal opening combination in the world

Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy are undoubtedly one of the best opening partnerships ever in ODI cricket. The pair average over 60 in the format, and notch up century partnerships almost every other game.

Roy and Bairstow have clicked in each of the two games so far, with the latter in particular taking a liking to the Indian bowlers. The hosts' new-ball bowlers have struggled to provide breakthroughs over the last year or so, and their task doesn't get any easier against such a fearsome combination.

While Roy will eye a three-figure score, Bairstow will want to replicate his performance from the previous game.


Middle order: Ben Stokes, Dawid Malan, Jos Buttler (wk)

Stand-in captain Buttler has only 2 runs in the series so far
Stand-in captain Buttler has only 2 runs in the series so far

Batting at No. 3 in the absence of Joe Root, Ben Stokes unleashed himself on the Indian spinners in the previous game. After taking a few balls to get set, the southpaw dispatched Krunal Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav to all corners of the ground. Although he fell one run short of a century, his form is a massively encouraging sign for England.

Malan played only his second ODI for England on Friday, and he did what was asked of him by hitting the winning runs after coming in at No. 4. The left-hander must make the most of the opportunities he gets in Morgan's absence.

Stand-in captain for the previous game, Jos Buttler has had a forgettable series. He has scored only 2 runs over the two matches, and has dropped a couple of straightforward catches behind the stumps as well. Buttler must put in a good performance if England are to clinch the series under his leadership.


All-rounders: Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran

Stokes and Curran have had important roles to play in this series
Stokes and Curran have had important roles to play in this series

Sam Billings' availability for his game is yet to be ascertained, but irrespective of whether he is fit or not, Liam Livingstone should hold on to his place in the XI. The all-rounder scored an unbeaten 27 on ODI debut in the last match, and his aggressive nature fits perfectly into England's gameplan.

Moeen Ali bowled 10 economical overs in the 2nd ODI, never letting the Indian batters find the boundary in the middle overs. The off-spinner will have a crucial role to play in the series decider, as will Sam Curran.

Curran has been accurate with the new ball, but his death bowling has let him down in this series. The 22-year-old adds great balance to the team, though, and he can be backed to set the record straight soon.


Bowlers: Adil Rashid, Reece Topley, Mark Wood

Mark Wood missed the 2nd ODI, but the England attack looks thin without him
Mark Wood missed the 2nd ODI, but the England attack looks thin without him

Adil Rashid will once again resume his role as England's lead white-ball spinner. He clearly has the bearing of Indian skipper Virat Kohli, and will look to take wickets in the middle overs to derail the opposition innings.

Reece Topley was the pick of the bowlers in the 2nd ODI, with his swing, bounce and slower balls having the Indian batsmen in all sorts of trouble. The tall quick is England's most potent threat with the new ball, and could have a key role to play at the death as well.

Mark Wood missed the 2nd ODI after conceding 75 runs in the series opener, but the England attack doesn't look the same without him in the team. Wood's pace and aggression make him a massive asset to any team, and Buttler could turn to his tearaway quick in place of Tom Curran, who's been ridiculously expensive in the recent past.

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Edited by Atharva Papnoi
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