IND vs ENG 3rd Test – Fantasy Cricket XI Tips, Pitch Report & Probable Playing XI

Updated: Sun, Feb 21 2021 13:18 IST

Sahil Mathur @cricketnmore

Cricket Image for IND vs ENG 3rd Test – Fantasy Cricket XI Tips, Pitch Report & Probable Playing XI (India vs England)

India defeated England in the 2nd test to level the four-match series 1-1. The two teams will now be playing each other in the Day/Night test at the newly constructed stadium at Motera.

IND vs ENG 3rd Test: Match Details

Date – 24th February 2021
Time – 2:30 PM IST
Venue – Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad

IND vs ENG 3rd Test Match Preview:

Indian batsmen displayed some outstanding batting on a surface which aided bowlers. Rohit Sharma played a phenomenal inning of 161 in the first innings along with Ajinkya Rahane. Virat Kohli and R Ashwin showed grit and class in the second innings. Rishabh Pant was as usual in a domination mode. India is likely to play the same batting lineup, barring an injury.

R Ashwin was a treat to watch in the last match and so was debutant Axar Patel, who supported him well. India rested Jasprit Bumrah, who is likely to make a comeback replacing Kuldeep Yadav. Mohammad Siraj and Ishant Sharma are also likely starters for the third test.

England will be delighted to welcome Jonny Bairstow - a good player of spin, to the team. If the pitch aids spinners, England batsmen will once again struggle as they did in Chennai in the last test. Joe Root will have to lead from the front to keep England in the game with the bat.

The pink ball test means James Anderson will be featuring in the playing XI along with well-rested Jofra Archer. Stuart Broad will also be looking forward to playing the day/night test. Though Olly Stone was impressive in the last test, he is likely to be replaced by spinner Dom Bess.

India and England have beaten each other once in this series so far. Both are looking in good form and it will need some extraordinary performance to separate the two sides.

IND vs ENG Head to Head:

Total – 124
India – 27
England – 48
Draw - 49

IND vs ENG 3rd Test Team News:

India - India hasn't made much change to their squad for the last two tests. Umesh Yadav is likely to join the squad once he passes his fitness test in place of Shardul Thakur, who has been released to play Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021.

England - Jonny Bairstow and Mark wood have joined the squad for the final two tests. Sam Curran won't be able to join the team in Tests due to logistical issues.

IND vs ENG 3rd Test Pitch Report:

According to reports, the Motera pitch is likely to be a turning track. The grass covering will be cut to aid spinners more despite seaming conditions offered by pink ball in Day/Night tests.

IND vs ENG 3rd Test Probable Playing XI:

India - Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk), Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav/ Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Siraj

England - Rory Burns, Dominic Sibley, Daniel Lawrence/ Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root (c), Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Ben Foakes (wk), Moeen Ali/ James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Jack Leach, Olly Stone/ Dom Bess