The State of Play
England’s 26-run victory in Rajkot on Tuesday means they are still alive in the series and head to Pune with renewed hope.
Jos Buttler’s side trail 2-1 in the best-of-five contest but having staved off one attempt from India to move into an unassailable lead, the tourists have to do it all again.
Their performances are certainly getting better match by match and they got the job done at the Khandheri Cricket Stadium thanks to a solid batting display led by Ben Duckett and Liam Livingstone and given fresh life at the end by Adil Rashid and Mark Wood.
England followed that up with an excellent all-round bowling performance in which Rashid was the star with a suffocating spell of one for 15 from his four overs.
The Yorkshireman is back at number one in the T20 bowling rankings and Buttler knows he is a key player.
What number in the world are you again Rash? 😉 🥇
Congratulations to Adil Rashid who has retaken his spot as the number 1️⃣ ranked men’s T20I bowler in the world! 🙌 🌎 pic.twitter.com/5A2YKeAxA5
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 29, 2025
Speaking after the game in Rajkot, Buttler said: “The guys bowled really well, nice to show off their skills. Adil – he’s the most important player in our team, so many variations, so many different styles of bowling, we’re fortunate to have him in our team.”
India can counter the brilliance of Rashid with their own magical spinner, Varun Chakravarthy, the leggie who claimed five for 24 two days ago.
“I’ve been working on a flipper and it’s coming out well,” he said. “It’s maybe the best I have bowled on this stage but I can definitely get better.”
England will hope that doesn’t happen in Pune as they seek to level things up at 2-2.
Team News
Arshdeep Singh is likely to be recalled after missing the third T20I and with Pune traditionally a venue that offers more assistance to pacemen.
Mohammad Shami is likely to retain his place despite a disappointing return to India duty in Rajkot while Sanju Samson will get another chance to show he can cope with out-and-out pace that England offer in the shape of Wood and Jofra Archer.
England will likely stick with the same XI given it is already seamer heavy.
Rajkot ✈️ Pune#TeamIndia have arrived for the 4th #INDvENG T20I 😎@IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/gnFfioFWQW
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 29, 2025
Expected line-ups
India: Samson (wk), Sharma, Varma, Yadav (c), Pandya, Patel, R Singh, Sundar, A Singh, Shami, Chakaravarthy
England: Salt, Duckett, Buttler (c), Brook, Livingstone, Smith (wk), Overton, Carse, Archer, Rashid, Wood
How to Watch
In the UK, you can watch this series on TNT Sports and Discovery+. The fourth T20I is being screened on TNT Sports 1 from 1pm.
In India, it can be viewed on the Disney Plus Hotstar app and website.
Prediction
India showed a rare vulnerability in the third T20I and England were good enough to capitalise.
And with Buttler’s side having got up and running, we fancy them to level the series and set up a mouthwatering decider in Mumbai on Sunday.
