The reworked Motera renamed as Sardar Patel Stadium, is all set to host the third Test between India and England which will be a Pink-Ball Test. It will be the only second game of such kind in India which will be played at the world’s largest stadium in the world. On their arrival in Ahmedabad, both sets of players have been in awe of the world’s largest cricket stadium and its indoor facilities. The match will once again see about 50 percent attendance amid strict COVID-19 protocols. More about the Pink-Ball Test preview in detail below.
The two teams have had a week-long gap before entering into this Test match, which is expected to be a series-defining one. Having won the second Test, India and Virat Kohli are high on confidence, They have had enough time to think hard on the team combination which they would like to take out on the field of play in the Test match. The occasion, however, is enough to get them pumped up for the Test match. A win in this Test match would take the Indian team a step closer to the World Test Championship title. They look ready to walk the talk in the historic Test match.
England skipper Joe Root defended Rohit Sharma’s take on home advantage. However, in the post-match presser of the last Test, Root said that they are nowhere close to being out of the series yet. They too like India have had enough time to ponder over the kind of team they would like to field in the Test match. The senior players involving Root himself, James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Ben Stokes have had a first look at the pitch and the conditions. There are some changes expected to be in the teams but they are purely tactical.
Also Read: India vs England 2021: 3rd Test- Fantasy Tips
Head To Head: India-England Tests
Overall- 124 matches
England won- 48
India won- 27
India vs England Head To Head in India
Total matches played: 62
India won: 20
England won: 14
Drawn: 28
Pitch & Weather Conditions At The Motera Stadium
None of the players from both teams have any idea as to how the pitch might play out. However, as per Cricbuzz, ground staff have readied a red-soil pitch for this Test. A strip like this normally aids sharp turn and bounce for the spinners and is not expected to crumble unlike the pitch did in Chennai. Though the surface has a rich-covering of grass at the moment England pacer James Anderson is very sure that it will change on the morning of the Test match. Rohit Sharma, meanwhile, has requested experts to talk more about the game and less about the pitch.
Magnificent Motera 😍😍😍
India vs England Pink-Ball Test pic.twitter.com/v1TulQLpPh— Anshuman Roy (@ANSHUMANROY23) February 23, 2021
Also Read: Unknown Facts About The Magnificent Motera
Team News For Pink-Ball Test
Umesh Yadav has been added to the Indian squad and is expected to play instead of Kuldeep Yadav. Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah is all set to make a comeback after being rested in the second Test to stay prepared for the Pink-Ball Test. The Indian batting line-up is expected to be the same unless last-minute injuries.
England, on the other hand, could come up with as many as five changes. Dan Lawrence looks set to miss out, with Jonny Bairstow likely to come in at number three. A comeback for Zak Crawley is also on the cards which puts Rory Burns on the spot. James Anderson and Jofra Archer are set to return while either of Chris Woakes or Dom Bess could play.
Squads For Pink-Ball Test
India
Virat Kohli (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Ishant Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Wriddhiman Saha, Umesh Yadav, Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar
England
Joe Root (c), Ben Foakes (wk), Rory Burns, Dominic Sibley, Daniel Lawrence, Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Jofra Archer, Olly Stone, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Dominic Bess, Zak Crawley
Also Read: India’s Predicted Playing XI For The 3rd Test Against England
