India vs England Third ODI Preview: Exciting tour finale on the cards

Despite calls to dump their aggressive approach, England stuck to their template and swamped India by six wickets with 39 balls remaining in the second ODI. With the series tied 1-1 going into the decider on Sunday, the top-two ODI sides in the world England and India will look to entertain the fans once more.

India scored at least 300 for a fifth ODI in a row including two in this series. KL Rahul’s form in the series (170 runs, SR 108.28) has been a massive positive, while Virat Kohli (122 runs, SR 87.76) continues to score graceful fifties with ease.

Bowling wise, it has been Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s impressive run (three wickets, ER 4.89) that is the backbone in this series. Debutante Prasidh Krishna (six wickets, ER 6.16) has been a revelation, although Kuldeep Yadav and Krunal Pandya struggled to keep their economies below eight.

India will look to make changes in their bowling with Washington Sundar and Yuzvendra Chahal in line to replace Krunal Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav. Mohammad Siraj’s ability to take wickets could also come into consideration.

England’s ODI template is based on strong starts and true to that, Jonny Bairstow (218 runs, SR 122.47) and Jason Roy (101, SR 116.09) have led their batting. With Ben Stokes making ODI cricket’s fastest-ever 99 in the second ODI, England seem to have the edge.

With the ball, there isn’t much for the visitors to worry with the spin twins Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali manning the middle overs with disciplined attack. Reece Topley’s addition makes the bowling stronger, although the Curran brothers have been struggling for impact.

Sam Billings and Mark Wood will be fit again to replace Liam Livingstone and Tom Curran.

Despite the loss in the second ODI, India have a healthy 54-43 lead over England in overall ODIs. In home matches, the record reads 32-17 in 50 matches.

The series has been about England’s aggressive play versus India’s cautious build-up. While both teams have enough reasons to be happy with their approach, England remains the team to beat. Their strength in the batting order – Adil Rashid with more than ten first-class centuries coming at no.10 – gives them a license to go all out in the attack. India’s bowling has struggled for impact and their poor starts with both bat and ball could be a big concern and a match changer.

This series has been going along predictable lines, especially in the first ten overs. India have been cautious with their starts while England have been belligerent with their aggression. This match could also go along the same lines which means backing England to score more than India in the first ten overs. With an array of six-hitters that they have, England are also expected to score more sixes than India and post a higher opening partnership. As for individual picks, look at Bairstow and Kohli scoring fifties. England have an edge in the final analysis to end the tour on a high.