IND vs ENG, 3rd ODI: With Team India under pressure to win the three-game ODI series against England, they have been dealt with a brutal injury blow ahead of the final game at the Lord’s Cricket Ground on July 19, Sunday. Washington Sundar has been ruled out of the series-decider, opening the door for Kuldeep Yadav’s inclusion, giving the tourists a major boost in the bowling department.
IND vs ENG, 3rd ODI: Why will Washington Sundar miss the series-decider at the Lord’s Cricket Ground?
The spin-bowling all-rounder had walked out to bat in the 32nd over of the innings after Virat Kohli was dismissed for 65 off 66 deliveries by Jofra Archer. It was only a few minutes since Sundar walked out to bat that he had pulled his hamstring while completing a run and didn’t look at his best before Saqib Mahmood got him with a short-pitched delivery. He didn’t appear on the field either, rendering the tourists of a bowling option as a total of 233 was not enough, with England chasing down the total with 35 balls and six wickets to spare.
With Kuldeep Yadav waiting in the wings and offering left-arm leg-spin, it could give the Men in Blue an incisive bowling option.
IND vs ENG, 3rd ODI: Team India seek redemption amid Rohit Sharma’s retirement rumours
While there is everything to play for at the Lord’s Cricket Ground, the Men in Blue will need to keep the focus on the task in hand even as the retirement rumours of opener Rohit Sharma are spreading thick and fast. The veteran’s rustiness has been visible to see in the first two ODIs, scoring only 11 and 26. His stay in the second ODI was of 47 deliveries but made only 26, laced with one four and a six and lacked any rhythm. During England’s innings, The Indian Express reported that the 39-year-old is no longer in the selectors’ plans for the 2027 World Cup. However, it remains to be seen what happens ahead of the match and after the game.
While Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer scored half-centuries in the second ODI, Team India collapsed from 178/3 to 233 all out, thereby finishing with a below-par total. Although the Men in Blue made early inroads, the immovable Joe Root made an unbeaten 99 to take England over the line.
Also Read: How Many Sixes Has Rohit Sharma Hit in International Cricket? Check Hitman’s Full Record
