India and England are set to clash in the third and final One-Day International (ODI) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, February 12, at 1:30 PM IST. With India already securing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, the Rohit Sharma-led side is eager to fine-tune its preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy, which begins next month.
The last time the Indian squad played at this venue, they suffered a heartbreaking loss to Australia during the ODI World Cup final, making this match particularly important for the hosts. Rohit Sharma has found form again, showcasing his skills with a brilliant 119 off 90 balls during the second ODI, after struggling with his form previously. This return to form is much-needed for the Indian side and its fans, particularly as they prepare for the prestigious tournament.
While Rohit shines, concerns linger around Virat Kohli’s performance. Despite not appearing out of sorts, Kohli has not scored big enough to help the team as he has only played small innings. His ability to convert starts will be closely monitored as he faces the English bowlers.
The upcoming match, broadcasted live on the Star Sports Network and streamed on Disney+ Hotstar, is not just about the final score but also about redemption for England. After losing the T20I series 4-1, the English team, captained by Jos Buttler, seeks to avoid complete humiliation. The pressure is on senior players like Joe Root, Ben Duckett, and Adil Rashid to step up and show their capabilities on this tour.
For this match, England has made one change to their playing XI, bringing in Tom Banton to replace Jamie Overton. The move reflects their desperation to change the course of the series after two disappointing ODIs. Meanwhile, India has opted for three changes; Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja are rested, and Varun Chakaravarthy is absent due to calf soreness. This paves the way for players like Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar to showcase their skills and gain valuable experience before the ICC Champions Trophy.
Fans are eagerly awaiting to see whether Rohit Sharma's innings can guide the Indian side to complete the whitewash or whether England can muster enough to salvage their pride and leave India with something to smile about. The anticipation continues to build as the match time approaches.
On the day of the match, expect to see live score updates and exciting moments as Indian stars such as Shubman Gill, who has been performing exceptionally well with runs across games, take to the pitch. Earlier, Gill and Kohli built impressive partnerships, which had contributed significantly to India’s totals. Their ability to develop strong partnerships could be the key to success against the English side, who have faced challenges getting wickets at decisive moments.
Both teams' formations are poised to offer thrilling competition as cricket fans everywhere tune in to witness this finale.