India’s Predicted XI for 3rd ODI: Gambhir & Rohit Sharma to make changes galore for Champions Trophy

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The India cricket team has everything to gain and nothing to lose in the India vs. England 3rd ODI. They have won the series despite being without Jasprit Bumrah and benching Kuldeep Yadav and Arshdeep Singh. The match in Ahmedabad will be Team India’s last 50-over match, especially given that they won’t play any warm-up matches in the ICC Champions Trophy.

That’s why the final match of the series holds high value. We’ll see chopping and changing, not that it hasn’t happened in the first two ODIs. But one can expect at least three changes. The batting line-up won’t change much, but all-rounders and bowlers, especially those who have virtually confirmed their place in the starting XI for India’s match against Bangladesh on February 20.

To start with, Ravindra Jadeja will most likely be rested, and Washington Sundar will come in his place. The latter hasn’t played a 50-over match in August last year, and if his services are required in the ICC Champions Trophy, you need him to give him some game time. Jadeja has been India’s best player in the last two matches, and there isn’t any use in making him play right now. He also needs rest, as he’s been playing continuously since September.

Harshit Rana generates bounce and can be a good middle-overs enforcer, but Arshdeep Singh offers a lot more. Apart from being a left-arm pacer who swings the ball, Arshdeep is great at the back end as well. And he’s the only southpaw fast bowler Team India has.

The last change would be to bring Kuldeep Yadav back. Yes, Varun Chakaravarthy has been incredible in the last couple of months, but that doesn’t mean you leave the left ODI spinner out of the team. Kuldeep is tried and tested at ICC events; he can be a handful in Dubai, especially in the middle overs, and therefore he must be given more game time as he’s coming off an injury.