India and England will clash in the 3rd T20I of the 5-match series on January 28, 2025, at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot, starting at 7:00 PM IST. The hosts, India, lead the series 2-0 after a dominant win in the first T20I and a hard-fought victory in the second. With a chance to seal the series, India will aim to maintain their dominance. England, on the brink of losing the series, will look to bounce back and keep their hopes alive. Fans can expect another thrilling contest between these T20I heavyweights.
Match Details
Match | India vs England – 3rd T20I, England Tour of India 2025 |
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Date | January 28, 2025 |
Time | 7:00 PM IST |
Venue | Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot |
Broadcast | Star Sports Network, Disney+ Hotstar |
Team Previews
India Preview
India continues their sensational T20I form, winning 23 out of 25 matches last year. They are ranked first in the ICC T20I rankings, and the team’s depth and balance are evident. The first T20I saw India dismantling England with ease, with Abhishek Sharma leading the batting charge and Varun Chakravarthy spinning a web around the English batters. The second match, however, tested India’s resolve. Chasing 166, Tilak Varma’s calm and composed innings ensured a 2-0 series lead.
India’s spin attack, led by Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel, has been exceptional, exploiting home conditions brilliantly. Meanwhile, Arshdeep Singh has been effective with the new ball, supported by all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Washington Sundar. The batting lineup, bolstered by the form of Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Abhishek Sharma, provides both aggression and stability. India will aim to continue their unbeaten run at Rajkot and seal the series.
Key Players: Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh
Predicted Playing XI:
Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy
England Preview
England, ranked third in the ICC T20I rankings, is under pressure after losing the first two matches of the series. Their batting lineup has struggled against India’s spinners, with only Jos Buttler showing consistency. In the first match, England collapsed to 132, and in the second, despite scoring 165, they failed to defend the total.
The bowling unit, led by Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse, has shown glimpses of promise, but they have lacked collective impact. The likes of Adil Rashid and Mark Wood need to step up to counter India’s formidable batting lineup. The team’s middle order, including Harry Brook and Jamie Smith, must provide more stability, while openers Ben Duckett and Philip Salt need to deliver strong starts. England will need a near-perfect performance to keep the series alive.
Key Players: Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse, Adil Rashid
Predicted Playing XI:
Ben Duckett, Philip Salt (wk), Jos Buttler (c), Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Smith, Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood
Fantasy Team XI
Player | Team | Role |
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Abhishek Sharma (C) | India | Batter |
Tilak Varma (VC) | India | Batter |
Jos Buttler | England | Batter |
Suryakumar Yadav | India | Batter |
Hardik Pandya | India | All-rounder |
Liam Livingstone | England | All-rounder |
Washington Sundar | India | All-rounder |
Jofra Archer | England | Bowler |
Varun Chakravarthy | India | Bowler |
Axar Patel | India | Bowler |
Brydon Carse | England | Bowler |
Pitch Report
The Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot, is known for its batting-friendly surface. The pitch offers consistent bounce, and batters can play their shots freely. However, spinners might get some assistance as the game progresses.
- Average First-Innings Score: 175 runs
- Bowling Advantage: Seamers in powerplay, spinners in the middle overs.
- Toss Prediction: Bat first – teams batting first have won 3 out of 5 T20Is here.
Weather Conditions
The weather is expected to be clear with no rain interruptions. Temperatures will hover between 16°C and 33°C, making it ideal for cricket.
Winning Prediction
India are in excellent form, with their spinners dominating and their batters delivering under pressure. England, despite having a strong lineup, have struggled to adapt to Indian conditions. Unless England’s top order fires and their bowlers execute plans perfectly, it’s hard to see them overcoming India’s momentum.
Predicted Winner: India to win
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