England have announced an unchanged playing 11 for the third T20I of the five-match series against India, set to be played at Trent Bridge on Tuesday. The hosts hold a 1-0 lead after a thrilling four-wicket victory at Old Trafford.
Match Recap: Old Trafford Thriller
The first match of the series was abandoned due to rain, but the second encounter provided plenty of drama. Chasing India's total of 190/7, England suffered a disastrous start as Arshdeep Singh dismissed Phil Salt and Jos Buttler for ducks in the opening over, leaving the hosts reeling at 1/2.
Captain Harry Brook counterattacked with a blistering 39 off just 12 balls before being trapped LBW by Axar Patel. Jacob Bethell then steadied the innings with a composed yet aggressive knock, sharing a crucial partnership with Tom Banton, who contributed 39 runs.
Bethell's Match-Winning Knock
Although India fought back through wickets from Arshdeep and Varun Chakaravarthy, Bethell turned the game decisively by smashing Ravi Bishnoi for 29 runs in a single over. His match-winning 76* off 46 balls, featuring five fours and five sixes, put England firmly in control. After Sam Curran departed, Bethell and Jofra Archer guided the hosts home with six balls to spare.
India's Innings
Earlier, India posted 190/7 after being put in to bat. Teenage debutant Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made an exciting start with 14 off 10 balls, becoming India's youngest-ever international cricketer and the youngest debutant from a Test-playing nation in T20Is. Abhishek Sharma top-scored early with 43, while Ishan Kishan anchored the innings with 49 and skipper Shreyas Iyer added 37 runs. A late flourish from Tilak Varma, who struck 17 runs in the final over, lifted India to a competitive total after England's bowlers, led by Sam Curran, Liam Dawson and Will Jacks, kept the visitors in check through the middle overs.
England's Unchanged Playing 11 for 3rd T20I
The England team management has opted for continuity, retaining the same XI that secured victory at Old Trafford. The playing 11 for the third T20I is: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Harry Brook (captain), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid and Josh Tongue.
