Picture Credit: X

Picture Credit: X

Suryakumar Yadav-led Team will return to the field in the third T20I of the five-match series against England. However, the Men in Blue will enter the field after taking a 2-0 lead in the series, winning the first T20I by seven wickets, followed by a two-wicket win in Chennai. While the Jos Buttler-led England will eye to comeback in the series and win the game, they have been handed a blow ahead of the Rajkot T20I.

Although, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Monday, January 27 announced their unchanged playing XI for the third Test, Buttler on the matchday confirmed that Phil Salt will not keep the wickets. This comes after the side let go off the services of Jacob Bethell, who continues to recover from an illness.

Jamie Smith to keep wickets in place of Phil Salt, confirms Jos Buttler

Speaking at the toss in Rajkot, England skipper said, "Looks a really good surface, looking forward to batting. We would've chased as well. Looks a good wicket, guys have had a good practice yesterday and we're excited for the match. We need a good total to defend.” When asked about the changes in the side, Buttler said, “Same team but Jamie Smith will keep wickets, he has got a little stiff calf."

It is to be noted that prior to the series, England head coach Brendon McCullum confirmed that Phil Salt will keep the wickets, whereas Jos Buttler will play as a pure batter. But a calf strain has led to Jamie Smith taking the wicketkeeping gloves from Salt.

Playing XI for third T20I between India and England

India: Sanju Samson(w), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Dhruv Jurel, Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Mohammed Shami, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakravarthy

England: Philip Salt, Ben Duckett, Jos Buttler(c), Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Smith(w), Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood