India's predicted playing XI for the 3rd ODI against England

With the series even at 1-1, India and England lock horns in the third and final ODI at the MCA Stadium in Pune on Sunday.

The hosts won the first game by 66 runs courtesy of an inspirational comeback with the ball, but the same didn't happen in the 2nd ODI as Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes unleashed themselves on the Indian bowlers.

India will want to get a win in their final international game before the Indian Premier League, while England - who are on top of the Cricket World Cup Super League table - will look to solidify their standing as the best white-ball side in the world.

Here is India's predicted playing XI for the 3rd ODI against England.

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Openers: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan

India and England Net Sessions

Rohit Sharma hasn't had a great series so far. He's gotten off to starts in both matches, but he has failed to capitalise on them because of some poor shot-making.

In the 1st ODI, Rohit slashed at a wide ball from Ben Stokes to nick off. And in the 2nd, he steered a loosener down the leg-side from Sam Curran straight to Adil Rashid at short fine-leg. India's white-ball vice-captain will look to come up with a telling contribution in the final game of the series.

His partner, Shikhar Dhawan, was Man of the Match in the first game for a stroke-filled 98, but managed only 4 off 17 balls in the second. The southpaw will be up against Sam Curran and Reece Topley once again, and he'll want to erase any doubt over his place in the side.

Shubman Gill could get a look-in if Rohit is rested, which is unlikely given the importance of the clash.

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Middle order: Virat Kohli (c), KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (wk)

India v England - 2nd One Day International

The Indian middle order should bear a familiar look.

Captain Virat Kohli is in excellent form despite his ongoing century drought, and if he negotiates his nemesis Adil Rashid, we could see him breach the three-figure mark in Pune.

Following Kohli will be 2nd ODI centurion KL Rahul, who has hit a purple patch at the right time for India. The 28-year-old has a fifty and a hundred in the series so far, and he'll want to end his ODI stint on a good note.

Rishabh Pant, who smashed a fifty in the previous game, should keep Suryakumar Yadav out of the side once again.

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All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur

Hardik Pandya hasn't bowled in this series

Hardik Pandya played an entertaining cameo in the 2nd ODI at the death, and he is invaluable to the team even if he doesn't bowl. With India struggling with five bowling options in the previous game, it remains to be seen if the all-rounder rolls his arm over in the 3rd ODI.

Krunal Pandya had a dream ODI debut, but his shortcomings with the ball were exposed in the 2nd ODI. The left-arm spinner was a sitting duck against Stokes, and could be replaced by Washington Sundar for the series decider.

Shardul Thakur went wicketless in the last match, but he adds great balance to the playing XI and should retain his place.

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Bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna

Chahal could make a return to the Indian playing XI for the 3rd ODI

The pace attack should once again feature Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Prasidh Krishna. The former seems to be back to his penetrative best, while Krishna has taken to ODI cricket like a duck to water with 6 wickets in 2 games.

If India want to rest either quick, Mohammed Siraj and T Natarajan are waiting on the sidelines for an opportunity.

Although Kuldeep Yadav was expensive and wicketless in the 2nd ODI, he didn't bowl as badly as his figures suggested. But with the series on the line, India might want to look away from a bowler who's clearly low on both confidence and form.

Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal is the straightforward choice to replace Kuldeep. He hasn't covered himself in glory with his recent displays in international cricket, but he's the best option at India's disposal right now.