The India vs England 3rd ODI has become even more crucial with the three-match series locked at 1-1, but Team India could be without all-rounder Washington Sundar for the decisive clash at Lord‘s Cricket Ground. Reports suggest the 26-year-old is struggling with an injury and may miss the final match, dealing a significant blow to India’s balance ahead of the series decider.
India opened the series with an impressive victory before England bounced back in the second ODI to level the contest. With the trophy now riding on the outcome of the final match, both teams will be looking to field their strongest possible line-ups.
Washington Sundar’s Injury Raises Concerns for India
Washington Sundar has been one of India’s key all-round options in the ODI setup. He made an important contribution with the bat in the opening match, scoring a valuable half-century that helped stabilize India’s innings.
However, the all-rounder appeared to be carrying an injury during the second ODI. Notably, he did not bowl in that match, raising questions about his fitness. According to reports, the medical team is monitoring his condition, and he is unlikely to be available for the third ODI if he fails to recover in time.
His potential absence would leave India short of an experienced spin-bowling all-rounder, especially on a Lord’s surface where tactical flexibility often plays an important role.
India’s All-Rounder Depth Already Under Pressure
Washington Sundar’s fitness concerns come at a time when India is already dealing with injuries to other all-rounders.
Hardik Pandya has been sidelined since sustaining an injury during IPL 2026, while Nitish Kumar Reddy was ruled out of the England tour after picking up an injury during a training session ahead of the Afghanistan series.
With multiple all-rounders unavailable, the team management may need to rethink the playing XI for the deciding match. India could either bring in another specialist batter or opt for an additional bowling option, depending on pitch conditions and team strategy.
Series Poised for an Exciting Finish
The India vs England 3rd ODI will decide the winner of the bilateral series after both sides claimed one victory each.
India, led by Shubman Gill, started strongly by winning the opening ODI, but England responded in the second game to keep the contest alive. With momentum evenly shared, the final match promises to be a closely fought encounter between two competitive teams.
The iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, often referred to as the “Home of Cricket,” is expected to host another high-profile contest as both teams aim to finish the series on a winning note.
Also read: Rohit Sharma Retirement Rumours Rejected by BCCI, Veteran Opener to Continue in India’s ODI Plans
India Squad for the 3rd ODI
India have named the following players in the squad:
Shubman Gill (Captain)
Rohit Sharma
Virat Kohli
KL Rahul (Wicketkeeper)
Ishan Kishan (Wicketkeeper)
Shreyas Iyer
Prasidh Krishna
Washington Sundar
Shivam Dube
Prince Yadav
Axar Patel
Kuldeep Yadav
Jasprit Bumrah
Arshdeep Singh
Gurnoor Brar
Washington Sundar‘s participation, however, remains subject to his fitness assessment before the match.
England Squad
England’s squad for the series decider includes:
Harry Brook (Captain)
Liam Dawson
Adil Rashid
Jos Buttler (Wicketkeeper)
Tom Banton (Wicketkeeper)
Joe Root
Ben Duckett
Jofra Archer
Saqib Mahmood
Brydon Carse
Sam Curran
Josh Tongue
Will Jacks
Gus Atkinson
James Coles
Jacob Bethell
Rehan Ahmed
England will be hoping to capitalize on home conditions and clinch the series after their comeback victory in the second ODI.
Also read: Virat Kohli Surpasses Rahul Dravid to Set New Indian Batting Record in England
India vs England 3rd ODI: Match Time and Live Streaming Details
The India vs England 3rd ODI will be played on Sunday, July 19, at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.
Match Start: 3:30 PM IST
Toss: 3:00 PM IST
Live TV Broadcast: Sony Sports Network
Live Streaming: JioHotstar app and website
With the series tied and the trophy on the line, fans can expect an intense battle between India and England. The final playing XI for India will likely depend on Washington Sundar’s last-minute fitness test, making team selection one of the biggest talking points ahead of the decisive encounter.
