All eyes will be on Rohit Sharma when India face England in the series-decider third ODI at Lord’s on Sunday. With the three-match series tied 1-1, the visitors will look to finish the tour on a high, while the spotlight remains firmly on the veteran opener amid speculation over his international future.
Reports during the second ODI in Cardiff suggested the Lord’s clash could be Rohit’s final appearance in India colours. However, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia dismissed the speculation, stating that Sunday’s match would not be Rohit’s last in international cricket.
Rahul likely to return, Sundar ruled out
KL Rahul is expected to return to the playing XI after missing the second ODI due to illness. Team India have added spinner Harsh Dubey to the squad in place of Washington Sundar, but Kuldeep Yadav is expected to return to the playing XI for the series decider.
Axar steps up in Jadeja’s absence
With Ravindra Jadeja unavailable, Axar Patel has impressed in the role of India’s spin-bowling all-rounder, contributing with both bat and ball during the series. England’s batting has largely struggled apart from Joe Root, who has been the hosts’ standout performer across the first two matches. The winner-takes-all contest at Lord’s is expected to provide India with an opportunity to clinch the ODI series and end the England tour on a positive note.
Gill, Root lead batting charts
Shubman Gill is India’s highest run-scorer in the series with 111 runs, while England’s Joe Root tops the overall batting charts with 175 runs. While Axar Patel leads the wicket-taking charts with five wickets. England pacer Jofra Archer and India’s Gurnoor Brar have claimed four wickets each.
Former India cricketer and coach Lalchand Rajput dismissed speculation surrounding Rohit Sharma’s future, saying the veteran still has enough cricket left in him. “I don’t believe in speculation. Unless it happens, then only we can talk about that. I still feel he is good enough to play for a couple of years,” Rajput told PTI.
He also praised Rohit’s fitness and backed him to rediscover his best form. “He is fit and has worked hard on his fitness. If you look at him now, he looks leaner. The way he batted in the last game, he showed glimpses of the Hitman. I think he is just one good innings away,” Rajput said.
India probable XI
Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (captain), Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Gurnoor Brar, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna.
England probable XI
Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook (captain), Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood.