Cricket: India vs England
5th T20 International, Ahmedabad
20th March 2021
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Match Winner:
With the series poised at 2-2, the eyes of the cricketing world descend on Ahmedabad for the 5th and final T20 International of the series between India and England. The series has been compelling viewing, with both sides winning relatively comfortably twice and stunning individual performances have been the difference between the sides.
Team Previews
India
Despite not always displaying their best cricket in the shortest format of the game, India have a potentially devastating T20 side and are spoilt for choice in many departments.
The changing of the guard from MS Dhoni’s side has been steady but with Rishabh Pant behind the stumps, they look to have finally found someone that can fill Dhoni’s void and to build the team around.
Virat Kohli hasn’t been in great nick with the bat but this year but his last couple of knocks in this series have indicated he is somewhere near his best once more whilst Rohit Sharma can be devastating in any game he plays.
The emergence of a new and exciting pace bowling attack has been a huge positive for India in 2021 and the likes of Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur will be looking to make an impression on the international stage once more.
England
With one of the most exciting T20 sides in the world, England have a wealth of options at their disposal. The likes of Joe Root and Alex Hales are still on the side lines in T20 cricket for England, with Jos Buttler, Jason Roy and Dawid Malan comprising a potentially devastating top 3.
Ben Stokes and Eoin Morgan are two of the great entertainers in the shortest format of the game and England’s hopes generally tend to be pinned on those two left-handers, especially in sub-continental conditions.
The bowling department looks to be lacking a little consistency on this tour and whilst Adil Rashid continues to leave batsmen in a trance with his variety, Jofra Archer along with Sam and Tom Curran are still searching for their very best form out in India.
India vs England 5th T20 International – Best Bets
Rohit Sharma to be Man of the Match @ 6.50
Few opening batsmen in world cricket are as powerful as Rohit Sharma and with a quiet T20 series thus far, he could come good when his country need him most and put in a big performance here.
Shardul Thakur to be India’s Top Bowler @ 3.50
The conditions at Ahmedabad have been highly conducive to taking pace off the ball and Shardul Thakur has troubled England’s batsmen with his variety, and he could be tough to take on again.
Ben Stokes to be England’s Top Batsman @ 5.50
Durham superstar Ben Stokes has unbelievably never scored an international T20 half-century, he was agonisingly close last time out in the 4th game in the series and he looks in fantastic form heading into this crunch match.
Match Prediction
With the series perfectly poised at 2-2, there is plenty on the line here in Ahmedabad. England are always a tough side to beat in T20 cricket and have a multitude of gun players in their side but the momentum looks to be with India and Virat Kohli’s men should get the job done in home conditions here.
