The much-anticipated third IND vs ENG Test is set to take place at the Saurashtra Cricket Stadium in Rajkot. With the series tied at 1-1, both teams will be eager to gain the upper hand and take a crucial lead. In this article, we will analyze the playing XI for both teams, provide a preview of the match, and discuss the live streaming options available for cricket fans.
Table of Contents
India’s Playing XI
Batting Woes
Team India has been facing numerous challenges in the series so far. The absence of Virat Kohli, who missed the first two Tests due to personal reasons and will be unavailable for the remainder of the series, has been a significant blow to the team. Furthermore, KL Rahul, who had a stellar performance in the series opener, will also be absent due to an ongoing quad injury recovery.
In the absence of Kohli and Rahul, the Indian batting line-up will heavily rely on Rohit Sharma, who has been in good form throughout the series. Youngsters like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill will also need to step up and contribute significantly.
Debut for Sarfaraz Khan
With the absence of key players, the Indian team management has decided to reward domestic standout Sarfaraz Khan with a Test cap. Sarfaraz, known for his explosive batting, will be eager to make an impact in his debut match.
Bowling Strength
On the bowling front, the Indian team has a strong lineup led by Jasprit Bumrah, who has been in exceptional form. Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja will play crucial roles with both bat and ball. The return of Jadeja after missing the second Test due to a hamstring injury will provide a much-needed boost to the Indian team.
England’s Playing XI
Spin Woes
England, on the other hand, will face their own challenges in the third Test. Their main spinner, Jack Leach, has been ruled out for the remainder of the series against India. This leaves the team with a shortage of experienced spinners, which could prove to be a disadvantage on the spin-friendly pitches in India.
Bold Playing Style
Despite the absence of key players, England has shown great resilience and a bold playing style throughout the series. Their aggressive approach has worked in their favor, especially in the series opener where they secured a narrow victory.
However, in the second Test at Vizag, England’s aggressive play backfired as they lost crucial wickets while chasing a big target in the fourth innings. They will need to find the right balance between aggression and caution in the upcoming match.
IND vs ENG: Match Details
The third Test between India and England is scheduled to start on Thursday, February 15th, at 9:30 PM IST at the Saurashtra Cricket Stadium in Rajkot. The match will be broadcasted live on Sports18 Network and JioCinema.
Saurashtra Cricket Stadium Pitch Report
The pitch at the Saurashtra Cricket Stadium is expected to be a cracker for the third Test. The Indian management has requested a slow turner, indicating that spinners will come into play early in the match. Fast bowlers will need to put in extraordinary effort to extract assistance and take wickets on this pitch.
IND vs ENG: Probable Playing XI
India
- Rohit Sharma (C)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Shubman Gill
- Sarfaraz Khan
- Rajat Patidar
- Dhruv Jurel (wk)
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Ravichandran Ashwin
- Axar Patel
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohammed Siraj
England
- Zak Crawley
- Ben Duckett
- Ollie Pope
- Joe Root
- Jonny Bairstow
- Ben Stokes (C)
- Ben Foakes
- Rehan Ahmed
- Tom Hartley
- Shoaib Bashir
- Ollie Robinson
Match Prediction
Both teams have their own strengths and weaknesses heading into the third IND vs ENG Test. England boasts a more experienced batting order, while India has a formidable bowling lineup. Considering these factors, India might have a slight edge going into the match. However, cricket is a game of uncertainties, and anything can happen on the day.
Conclusion
The third Test between India and England promises to be an exciting battle between two competitive sides. With the series finely poised at 1-1, both teams will be aiming to gain an advantage and take control of the series. Cricket fans can catch all the action live on Sports18 Network and JioCinema. So, gear up for a thrilling contest as the cricket giants clash in Rajkot.
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