England Announce Playing XI For Must-Win 3rd T20I Against India, No Place For This Player; Check Details

Pic credit: England Cricket

England have announced their playing XI for the third T20I of the five-match series against India which will be played at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot on Tuesday, January 28.

Despite losing the second T20I in Chennai, the Jos Buttler-led England haven't made any change in their playing XI for the third T20I of the series. 

Brydon Carse has retained his place after replacing Gus Atkinson in the second T20I, where he scored 31 off 17 before taking 3-29 to stall India's run chase. On the other hand, Jamie Smith has also kept his place in the starting XI after making his debut on Saturday, when Jacob Bethell was ruled out due to illness.

England have stuck with a pace-heavy bowling attack that includes Jofra Archer and Mark Wood. 

England must win the third T20I in Rajkot to keep their hopes of claiming the five-match series alive, with India currently leading 2-0. England were thrashed by seven wickets in the first T20I in Kolkata before a nail-biting two-wicket defeat in Chennai.

England playing XI for 3rd T20I vs India: Ben Duckett, Phil Salt (WK), Jos Buttler (C), Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Smith, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid Mark Wood

We have named an unchanged team for our third T20I v India as we look to pull one back in the series 

The game will get underway at 13:30 GMT (19:00 local) in Rajkot tomorrow  pic.twitter.com/5LQJPO3s5B — England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 27, 2025

Mark Wood On His Injury And Work Load Management 

Mark Wood, who is set for his third T20 in six days, has spoken about his injury issues and work load management. 

"We've got big things (this year) but I've missed so many games for England that, when you have a chance, you want to play. The question is whether I can still be as good or consistent or accurate," Wood was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

"I do doubt if I will come back the same, or if that is it, with the age I am at. They are the doubts I have. I know if I come back, I will still bowl fast. But I haven't got many miles on my clock. I work hard on my fitness, I worked hard in that downtime. One percenters like not drinking, trying to eat well, it all plays a small part.

"I was a late developer in cricket, I wasn't bowling quickly until my early 20s. I don't see why I can't keep bowling quickly in the short term," he added.