England skipper Ben Stokes expressed that every batter has devised their game plans to counter India’s ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah ahead of the third Test at Rajkot. The test match kicks off on Thursday, February 15 at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium.

Jasprit Bumrah has been in great rhythm in the ongoing test series. He powered India to a brilliant win in the second test. He took nine wickets in the match as India won the match by 106 runs. The Indian pacer is the leading wicket-taker in the series so far with 15 wickets. Speaking at the press conference ahead of the third Test, Ben Stokes praised Jasprit Bumrah. He said,

“Jasprit Bumrah is an unbelievable bowler. He’s proven that for a very long time and has performed really well in the two games. I think everyone has got their way of trying to deal with Bumrah but we do have to score runs off him as well and that’s what we’ll try to do.”

“But when that doesn’t work you just have to give credit to the bowler and Jasprit’s been outstanding the first two games. We’ve all got our own processes against every single bowler and there’s no team way of playing anyone. But as we always try to do we’ll be trying to keep the focus around us,” he added.

England brings in Mark Wood for the third Test

England announced their playing XI for the third test match at Rajkot on the eve of the game. Mark Wood has been included in the team for the match teaming up with James Anderson in the bowling line-up. Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley and Joe Root will take up the spin-bowling duties.

England’s Playing XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (C), Ben Foakes, Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, Mark Wood, James Anderson.