There are few things more thrilling than a five-match T20I series in cricket. One would be hoping to go on a bump-free, smooth path before an upset knocks them back to reality. A similar situation has unfolded in this series so far. The series stands at 2-1, with India leading in a way that makes each match a battle for survival for England. But what could hurt England’s survival chances is something that has been their Achilles’ heel for quite some time now—their lack of spin resources.
Among teams that have played a minimum of 20 games since the start of this decade, England have the second-worst spin bowling average. This holds true for the side regardless of format, although their white-ball teams have struggled marginally more. In the ongoing series as well, the main contributions for the side have come from fast bowling. Although Adil Rashid was no less than a charmer in the last game, England have largely relied on him as their sole frontline spinner in white-ball cricket since Moeen Ali’s retirement. With Pune’s spin-friendly pitch awaiting the fourth game, the visitors could find themselves in a pickle once again.
Team Overview:
India have tried to flex every bit of spin bowling in their lineup in this series so far. Barring the captain, the wicketkeeper, and a couple of specialist batters, Suryakumar Yadav handed the ball to almost every other player at some point in the last two games. A luxury that the hosts have is the presence of all-rounders in the side. This not only leaves the Indian skipper spoiled for choices when managing his bowlers but also makes it a challenge for the opposition batters to settle. Mohammad Shami, finally, made a comeback in the last game but remained wicketless in his quota of three overs. Dhruv Jurel, who batted at No. 8 in the last game to accommodate the left-right combination, is likely to make way for Shivam Dube, who is fully fit to play again.
England won the last game, but a batting collapse accompanied them. The bowlers did well enough to prevent that collapse from hurting the team. Jamie Smith, who kept wickets instead of Phil Salt in the third T20I, has a stiff calf and could be replaced by Jacob Bethell for the fourth game. Adil Rashid would once again be crucial for the side in Pune. However, one of the pacers might sit out to manage the workload.
Head-to-Head Matches:
England and India have pitched against each other in 27 T20I games. Out of these, India were the better side in 15 games while England won twelve.
Weather and Pitch Report:
The last time a T20I match was played in Pune, a whopping 396 runs were accumulated across 40 overs. Before that game, 223 runs were put on the board by both teams in 35 overs. So, if you have any doubts about this game turning into a high-scoring one, set them aside right now. The ground has a black-soil surface, which is known to favor spinners more than pacers. Dew could come into play in the second innings, with the weather getting cooler in the evening.
Where to Watch:
India: Star Sports
UK: TNT Sports
Pakistan: Tapmad
Australia: Kayo
