Update

Toss

Jos Buttler Wins Toss, Elect To Bowl Against India. India make three changes with Shivam Dube, Arshdeep Singh and Rinku Singh added in Playing XI

Preview

Rinku’ Singh’s availability for the penultimate rubber of the five-match series between India and England, to be played at the Maharashtra Cricket Association’s stadium in Pune, was on top of everyone’s mind.

India had a reason to smile on the eve of the match when the left-handed batter stepped on to the field for the warm-ups. By the time Ryan ten Doeschate, the assistant coach, confirmed his availability for Friday’s game and returned to the field, Rinku was already batting in the nets.

Rinku’s addition as a finisher will certainly help the India think-tank to persist with its obsession of left- and right-hand combination at the crease. More importantly, it will give Hardik Pandya a much-needed support in the role of a finisher. Rinku’s ability to clear the field under pressure will mean Hardik can also free his arms up more often that he did in Rajkot.

If Rinku manages to stave off the fiery challenge of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, India will in all likelihood be able to travel to Mumbai with yet another home series win, with a match to spare.

While Rinku is likely to replace Dhruv Jurel – who was wasted at No. 8 in the last match – India will be hoping for Mohammed Shami to get into even better rhythm with the ball. With an eye on the Champions Trophy, India will want Shami to keep building towards the bigger challenge.

England, meanwhile, will be hoping to crack the Varun Chakravarthy riddle before time runs out. Unless Jos Buttler and Co. manages to save its wickets, it will have an uphill task to keep the series alive.