England announce playing XI for Rajkot T20I

The visitors England have announced their playing XI for the third game of the five-match away T20I series against the hosts India, which they are trailing by 2-0. Rajkot will host this T20I on Tuesday (January 28) evening.

England lost both their first two T20Is of the ongoing away series, and the batters were the main reasons. In both the T20Is, captain Jos Buttler provided controlled starts despite the openers' failures, but the visitors failed to produce strong T20I totals.

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England were thrashed in Kolkata T20I

Kolkata hosted the T20I series opener, where England scored only 132 runs despite the skipper Buttler’s 68 runs. Indian opener Abhishek Sharma thrashed the English bowlers and scored 79 off 34 balls with five fours and eight sixes, and India chased down the target in 12.5 overs as England suffered their largest T20I defeat by balls remaining in the second innings (43 balls).

Tilak Varma's excellence forced England to suffer Chennai defeat

Chennai hosted the second T20I, where England produced some great fights and were very close to clinching a victory. Once again, Buttler set a good start with his 45 runs, while the top and middle-order batters again failed to impress. Debutant Jamie Smith (22) shined during his short stay, while Brydon Carse (31) played a handy knock before a mix-up led to his run out. 

After England scored 165/9 in 20 overs, the visiting bowlers were picking up wickets at regular intervals as the hosts were never breathing comfortably in the chase. Carse not only shined with the bat but also had a huge role with the ball in hand as he picked up three wickets and ended with the bowling figures of 4-0-29-3. While Adil Rashid continued his key performance with the ball (4-0-14-1), Jofra Archer had an off day (4-0-60-1). Indian cricketer Tilak Varma calmly handled every tough situation in the chasing and guided the hosts to a thrilling two-wicket victory in the final over (19.2 overs) with his 72 not out off 55 balls (four fours and five sixes).

England will play first T20I at Rajkot

Niranjan Shah Stadium, formerly known as Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, in Rajkot, will host the third T20I of the series. All the remaining matches of the series are must-win games for England, as the visitors can’t afford another defeat in the series. It will be England’s first T20I at this venue, while India have recorded four victories out of five T20Is at this venue (lost once against New Zealand). 

England head coach Brendon McCullum announced the English playing XI for the Rajkot T20I, and there is no change. 

England's playing XI for the Rajkot T20I

Ben Duckett, Phil Salt (wk), Jos Buttler (Captain), Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Smith, Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.