The State of Play
England have dug themselves a hole and there is no room for error when they look to start a momentous comeback in their five-match T20I series against India in Rajkot tomorrow.
Jos Buttler’s men are 2-0 down despite a much-improved performance in Chennai on Saturday that saw them come close to levelling the series.
The T20 world champions held on to secure a two-wicket win, thanks largely to a brilliant 72 not out from Tilak Varma, who took a shine to the pace of Jofra Archer to help his side home.
England’s pace battery had a mixed evening. Archer was expensive – going for 60 from his four overs – but Brydon Carse backed up his 31 with the bat with three for 29 in an excellent all-round display.
The Durham man continues to gain prominence within the England set-up and he is confident the series is not yet lost.
Speaking after the defeat on Saturday, Carse said: “Hundred per cent, yeah [we can win the series]. Inside that changing room there, obviously the guys are a little bit down, but I think ultimately as a whole, I think it’s pretty evident that the performance tonight was a lot better than the other night.
“But again, we haven’t put a full, complete performance in, so it’s exciting to see. Hopefully next game, we can put everything together.”
For England to flourish, however, they will need to find a way to combat India’s flexible middle-order that was led so impressively by Tilak at the weekend.
It was a coming-of-age performance from the 22-year-old, who displayed the same levels of confidence when speaking to the media afterwards that he did when flailing the England pacemen around the ground.
“If you see, I want to target [England’s] best bowlers,” Tilak said. ‘If you take on their best bowlers, other bowlers will be under pressure. So, [even] when the wickets are falling, I want to take on their best bowler.
“It’s easier for the [batter] at the other end also. So I backed myself and I took chances against him [Archer]. And also whatever shots I have scored for Archer, I have worked in the nets. Mentally I was ready for that. So, it has given me a good result.”
Team News
England have already announced they will play the same XI that competed so well in Chennai.
That means Archer will get a shot at redemption and sees Jamie Overton get another chance despite the temptation to play a second specialist spinner alongside Adil Rashid.
Nitish Kumar Reddy and Rinku Singh have been ruled out with Shivam Dube and Ramandeep Singh coming into the squad.
Ramandeep is set to play in Rajkot with Dhruv Jurel potentially the man to make way.
Veteran paceman Mohammed Shami is likely to miss out again.
Expected line-ups
India: Samson (wk), Sharma, Varma, Yadav (c), Pandya, Patel, Sundar, R Singh, A Singh, Bishnoi, Chakravarthy
England (confirmed): Salt (wk), Duckett, Buttler (c), Brook, Livingstone, Smith, Overton, Carse, Archer, Rashid, Wood
How to Watch
In the UK, you can watch this series on TNT Sports and Discovery+. The third 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
It would be a shame for the series if India were to clinch it in just three games, not that their fanatical supporters would agree.
England were much better in the second game and we think Buttler’s men will get it right here.
Much depends on whether the England attack can keep the ball in the park with Archer, in particular, needing a much-improved display.
But we’re going for England to halve the deficit with a victory in Rajkot.
