IND vs ENG, 3rd ODI: KL Rahul returns, Kuldeep Yadav to replace Washington Sundar - Check India's predicted XI against England for Lord's decider

Team India cricket team">India cricket team">India cricket team">India cricket team">India need an urgent turnaround from their shambolic batting performance in the second ODI at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff to succumb to a four-wicket loss to England, thereby now placing the three-match series in a 1-1 deadlock. With the Lord's Cricket Ground setting the stage for the series-decider, the tourists are likely to make at least two changes to their XI, including a forced one in Washington Sundar, whose hamstring injury has ruled him out.

Will KL Rahul return for the series-decider at the Lord's Cricket Ground?

The visitors missed KL Rahul's wealth of experience and calmness in the middle-order in the second ODI, with the likes of Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan, Washington Sundar and Axar Patel failing to stay with Shreyas Iyer, who had raised a valiant fifty. With 233 already proving to be more than a challenging total, another 40 runs in India's tally could have well been a match-winning score. Rahul had missed the second ODI due to an illness, with Ishan Kishan taking his spot. However, Kishan made only one run after being promoted to No.4. There is still no update on Rahul's condition but the keeper-batter should be an automatic swap if fully fit.

Another change to the XI could be drafting in left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav for Sundar. While Kuldeep has been slightly inconsistent in the last few matches and blew hot and cold in IPL 2026, his experience will add a lot to the Indian team. Additionally, the 31-year-old has a decent record in England, taking 15 wickets at 32.33 with a four-wicket haul. But Kuldeep's inclusion will also mean that Team India's batting unit will become thinner.

India's predicted XI: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill(c), Virat Kohli, KL Rahul(w), Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna.

IND vs ENG, 3rd ODI: What is Team India's 50-overs international record at Lord's Cricket Ground?

The Men in Blue have played seven ODIs at The Home of Cricket dating back to the year 1975 but they haven't won a 50-over international at the venue since 2004. The last four ODIs have seen India lose three of them, while the one in 2011 resulted in a tie.

Hence, Team India need to be at their best to beat the Englishmen.