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Tuesday 7 July, 17:30
TV: Sky Sports
England v India third T20 team news
England have confirmed they will stick with the same XI that gave them a 1-0 lead following success in Manchester.
There are, however, increasing concerns about Jos Buttler's form. He recorded a duck on his home ground and has now passed 30 once in his last 16 T20i innings. He did okay in the IPL, hitting the ground running early after a dreadful World Cup. But his scoring is more inconsistent than one would expect from an opener of his ability.
Another failure could mean that England look at Tom Banton as opener, leaving a slot in the middle order for Jordan Cox or even James Coles. England continue to learn nothing about Rehan Ahmed.
Possible XI: Salt, Buttler, Brook, Bethell, Banton, Jacks, S Curran, Archer, Dawson, Rashid, Tongue
India have lost three T20i in a row for the first time in five years. The 2-0 defeat to Ireland could prove to be start of a side struggling for identity following the axing of skip Suryakumar Yadav from the squad. Or it could be the helter skelter of T20 with a little bit of complacency chucked in.
There is no doubt India are ruthless in selection. Sanju Samson was dropped after three failures on tour. Unlike Buttler, that could hardly be considered poor form and is most certainly the life of a T20 blaster. But India wanted to look at Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Sorryavanshi made his debut at Old Trafford and was stumped for 14. He will continue alongside Abhishek Sharma.
Shreyas Iyer could be a doubt after suffering a blow to the hand. But there is only Suyansh Shedge as a reserve batting option and he's an all-rounder unless Samson was to return.
India may abandon two specialist spinners with Ravi Bishnoi making way for Prince Yadav. Varun Chakravarthy will be supported by Axar Patel and Washington Sundar. Abhishek and Tilak are also spin options.
Possible XI: Abhishek, Sooryavanshi, Ishan, Shreyas, Tilak, Sundar, Dube, Axar, Harshit, Arshdeep, Prince, Chakravarthy
England v India third T20 pitch report
The Trent Bridge surface has been slow and one for the spinners in domestic cricket. The average score in the Blast has been just 165. But we don't rule out the Trent Bridge groundstaff keeping aside a flat one for internationals.
The recent T20i here have been high-scoring. In 2021, Pakistan smashed 232 to beat England, the hosts piled on 215 to beat India's 195 while both teams to score 170 landed when New Zealand were in town in 2023.
The most recent Blast game, however, did see batters hit through the line. Notts' 181 was enough by one to see off Lancashire. In day-night matches in all T20 at the venue in the last five years there is no toss bias. The RPO batting first is slightly higher at 9.03 compared to 8.67. No rain is forecast.
England v India third T20 match prediction
England are marginal favourites on the Betfair Exchange at 1.9520/21 with India odds-against as 2.0421/20. Betfair Sportsbook have India shorter at 10/111.91 with England 5/61.84.
The bigger price on the Exchange is the one to take about the tourists. That's because the Trent Bridge surface, whatever it proves to be, may suit them better.
If they get a flat one then India's batting power can be very difficult to live with and an onslaught from the likes of Abhishek and Sooryavanshi cannot be ruled out. If not, then their superiority against spin, and with it, might make the difference.
If it is a slower surface they have a greater depth of experience on such tracks in working out what a good score is. And with the ball they are expert at the squeeze. Some doubts remain about England's ability when the ball is stopping or spinning.
It is rare indeed that we get the chance to bet India in this format at odds-against. As world champs they should be better for the run outs in Ireland and in Manchester. Expect them to find some form.
Back India
England v India third T20 player bets
We were on Phil Salt runs in Manchester. Unfortunately, the life of a T20 opener is one which has to deal with failure more often than not. The same is true of the gambler, of course. But just because Salt returned a duck doesn't mean we abandon him.
He remains underrated (consistently so) on the top England bat market and that is a perfectly acceptable play. He is value on win rate and is very much in the win zone. We should get 7/24.50 with Sportsbook. An easier, less stressful wager is the 11/82.38 that Salt whacks 30. It could be a quick win.