IND vs ENG: Top 5 key player battles to watch out for in 3rd ODI, Ahmedabad

India won the 2nd IND vs ENG in Cuttack by four wickets.

Team India have dominated England at home and registered consecutive white-ball series wins. They have a 2-0 lead in the three-ODI series, which followed the 4-1 T20I series win.

The biggest positive for India has been the return of form for captain Rohit Sharma. He showed that he is still one of the best ODI openers going around and slammed his 32nd ODI ton in Cuttack. There were some other notable contributions for India as well.

England had an improved batting display in Cuttack than in Nagpur, but their below-par bowling performance spoiled their chances to seek parity, and India bagged a one-sided win.

Now these two sides will lock horns in the third ODI on Wednesday at Narendra Modi Stadium. Let’s see the top five player battles you need to keep an eye on during the 3rd ODI.

IND vs ENG: Top 5 key player battles to watch out for in 3rd ODI, Ahmedabad

1. Rohit Sharma vs Saqib Mahmood

The Indian captain slammed a 90-ball 119, featuring 12 fours and seven sixes, and announced his return to form just ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy. That must have given loads of confidence to India. He will be looking to take England on now with even more aggression.

Saqib Mahmood dismissed Rohit in the first game but the Indian captain took him to the cleaners in Cuttack, hitting him for two sixes and one four. Theirs will be a great battle to watch out for in the next match.

2. Virat Kohli vs Adil Rashid

Virat Kohli made his comeback in Cuttack after missing the Nagpur ODI and started his innings with a glorious straight drive. But soon Adil Rashid ended Virat’s stay at the crease. Rashid has had quite a bit of success against Virat.

Interestingly, the leg-spinner has dismissed the former Indian captain ten times in international cricket, including four times in ODIs. So theirs will be an interesting battle in the middle overs in Ahmedabad.

3. Harry Brook vs Varun Chakravarthy

Harry Brook has struggled for the major part of this tour. He has not been able to score freely against the Indian spinners. He has not been able to bed himself in for long. The reason for his struggle on this tour is Varun Chakravarthy.

The Indian spinner has got him out on three occasions in T20Is. Though Brook hit him for a six in Cuttack, he only scored two runs off his rest eight balls.

4. Joe Root vs Ravindra Jadeja

Joe Root is someone who can take the innings deep and set a great platform for the other English power hitters. He has shown good form, but he has yet to score big. The big reason that he has not been able to score big is Ravindra Jadeja.

The star all-rounder has dismissed him in both ODIs, and Root has not looked comfortable against him. In fact, Jadeja has dismissed Root 13 times in international cricket, including five in ODIs. So, this will be another crucial battle in the middle overs in the third ODI.

5. Shubman Gill vs Jamie Overton

Shubman Gill is the leading scorer of the series, courtesy of two stunning half-centuries. He has looked in total control and is the run machine in this format. Whether chasing or batting first, Gill can be relied upon to score briskly without taking many risks.

That is why England need to get him out early. Jamie Overton can be a good option to target Gill. He bowled a brilliant yorker to Gill in Cuttack and rattled his stumps. His celebration was also worth watching. So, if they face-off again, they will be pumped-up in Ahmedabad.

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