England confirm playing XI for third T20I against India

NOTTINGHAM: England have named an unchanged playing XI for the third T20I against India, scheduled to be played at Trent Bridge on Tuesday.

The hosts have kept faith with the same side that secured a crucial victory in the second T20I, as they aim to strengthen their advantage in the five-match series.

England currently hold a 1-0 lead after the opening fixture at Chester-le-Street was abandoned due to rain, before they registered a thrilling four-wicket victory at Old Trafford.

Chasing a challenging target of 191, England reached the total with six wickets in hand and six balls to spare. Jacob Bethell starred with an unbeaten 76 from 46 deliveries, striking five fours and five sixes to anchor the successful chase.

Captain Harry Brook provided the finishing touch with a blistering 39 off just 15 balls, smashing four fours and three sixes, while Tom Banton made a valuable 39 from 32 deliveries, including six boundaries.

Earlier, India posted a competitive total thanks to several useful contributions throughout the batting order.

Ishan Kishan top-scored with 49 off 40 balls, narrowly missing a half-century after hitting six fours. Abhishek Sharma gave India a flying start with 43 from 24 deliveries, including eight fours and one six.

Shreyas Iyer added 37 from 22 balls, striking three fours and a six, while Tilak Varma remained unbeaten on 24 off 11 deliveries, smashing one four and two sixes.

Debutant Vaibhav Sooryavanshi contributed 14 from 10 balls, including two sixes. Shivam Dube scored five from seven deliveries, while Axar Patel and Harshit Rana managed two and six respectively.

England will now look to extend their lead in the series when they take on India in the third T20I at Trent Bridge.

England's playing XI for third India T20I: Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (c), Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid and Josh Tongue.