India predicted 11 vs England 3rd ODI: Will team stick with KL Rahul, why Arshdeep Singh needs game time?

India predicted 11 vs England 3rd ODI: Why Arshdeep Singh needs game time? (AP Photo)

India predicted 11 vs England 3rd ODI: Team India have so far produced a remarkable display in the three-match series against England, with the final ODI scheduled to be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday. The series serves as a perfect dress rehearsal for the ICC Champions Trophy, which gets underway from February 19 in Pakistan and UAE. India have gained a 2-0 lead in the series and will now look to end it on a perfect note before leaving for Dubai for the marquee tournament.

The biggest positive from the series has got to be Rohit Sharma's return to form. The Indian skipper blasted 119 off 90 balls in the previous encounter in Cuttack, which India won by four wickets. In addition, Shubman Gill has shown tremendous form despite the added responsiblity of being the new vice-captain.

However, lack of runs from Virat Kohli's bat continue to hurt India and the talismanic batter will hope for a change in fortune heading into the final encounter.

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If we look at India's combination for the final ODI, the team would look to make a few changes given the series is already sealed. KL Rahul has been handling wicketkeeping duties and the management could switch back to Rishabh Pant, who brings in the left and right combination in India's middle-order.

Pant too would be itching to return to the playing XI. In his absence, the management have promoted Axar Patel in the batting order and the all-rounder has lived up to the expectations. However, with Pant coming in this won't be the case as the southpaw can himself bat at the similar position.

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If we switch focus to the bowling department, the time is clearly ticking for Jasprit Bumrah. The pacer is unlikely to be part of India's Champions Trophy plans considering the half hearted response from Rohit and Ravindra Jadeja on Bumrah's recovery. If that is the case, Arshdeep Singh should get some game time ahead of Harshit Rana, who was part of the previous two ODIs.

Rana is not part of India's Champions Trophy squad and may replace Bumrah as February 11 remains as the final day to make any changes in the squad.

India predicted 11 vs England 3rd ODI:

Openers: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill

Top and middle-order: Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk)

All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja

Spinners: Kuldeep Yadav

Pacers: Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh