Former T20 World Cup winners England came to India in search of their lost aggression in the white-ball format. Jos Buttler and Brendon McCullum saw their side fall to two early defeats in the series. The game in Kolkata was a one-sided affair but the second match in Chennai showed the resilience the visitors bring to the table.
England have sounded out a warning not just to India but to every team that their white-ball form is slowly getting back to its best. The likes of Ben Duckett and Liam Livingstone have shown the same fearless attitude that was evident under Eoin Morgan. Even the bowling has started to take good shape with the extra pace of Archer and Wood troubling the batters.
Here is the likely England’s Playing XI vs India for the 4th T20I in Pune:
Top order

England will be worried about the form shown by Phil Salt as the 29-year-old has failed to get going. Salt has good numbers in this format of the game and can tear apart any bowling attack on his day. Ben Duckett began the series in poor fashion but came back with vengeance to score a blistering fifty during the Rajkot match.
Middle Order

Skipper Jos Buttler has been England’s best batter during the first three games of the series against India. The 34-year-old is well aware of the conditions in India thanks to his long association with the IPL. Harry Brook not too long ago was scoring centuries and triple centuries for fun. The 25-year-old has seen his form vanish and found it difficult to play wrist spinners. Liam Livingstone was the biggest difference-maker for England in the last match with his knock of 43 which included five sixes. Livingstone is also a very able spinner of the ball and can do a lot of damage on his day.
Lower-order

The injury to Jamie Smith could see Jacob Bethell get his spot back in the team. The youngster has been excellent with the bat and ball both at the international and franchise cricket levels. Jamie Overton has been having a dream return to cricket and his ability to bowl with deceptive speeds and use of slower balls make him a dangerous customer. Brydon Carse has been proving to the world why he has been spoken about as one of the most exciting prospects. The 29-year-old has bowled with good speeds and got wickets at regular intervals for the visitors.
Tail enders

Unlike the hosts, England bats deep and the likes of Adil Rashid and Jofra Archer can smash the ball big. Rashid has been England’s best bowler in Chennai and Rajkot. The veteran spinner’s wicket of Tilak Varma changed the match in Rajkot and the Indian batters were wary of Rashid’s threats. Jofra Archer is slowly getting back to his best after injury-riddled years. Archer has bowled with great speeds and dismissed Sanju Samson in each of the previous three games. Mark Wood has bowled with top pace gone past the 150 KPH mark and made life difficult for Indian batters with his skiddy pace.
England XI vs India
Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, Jos Buttler, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood
Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.