Team India is gearing up for the pink ball Test against England at Ahmedabad. The 4 match series is currently level at 1-1 as both India and England will be aiming to go ahead by winning the day and night Test. India is expected to make a few changes in the playing XI as the pink ball Test is a different challenge.
Unlike the previous two Tests matches the focus will be on the fast bowlers of both India and England. Ahead of the decisive Test match, we take a look at the possible playing XI of team India for the day and night Test which will be played at Ahmedabad between February 24-28.
India’s Predicted Playing XI For The 3rd Test Against England
1. Rohit Sharma
The quality India opener played a match-defining knock in the second Test match which helped India to level the series. Rohit Sharma smashed 161 runs on the opening day after which an England victory was almost impossible. Rohit Sharma will again hold the key for India in the third Test as if he gets set he can go big and play yet another match-winning knock.
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2. Shubman Gill
The talented Indian opener Shubman Gill who suffered an injury concern during the second Test has fully recovered and will play at Ahmedabad. Gill will be determined to do well after he failed in both innings of the second Test match. If England doesn’t dismiss Gill early he can hurt them as he can score freely and prove to be a difficult batsman to bowl at.
3. Cheteshwar Pujara
The rock of India’s Test batting line-up Cheteshwar Pujara too will be eyeing a big score in the day and night Test match. The Indian number 3 has got starts in the series but has failed to capitalize on his starts. Come to the pink ball Test, Pujara again will hold the key for India as he has the game to counter the movement of the pink ball under lights and dominate England.
4. Virat Kohli ©
The Indian captain Virat Kohli so far has had scores of 11,72,0 and 62 in the series against England. Kohli has looked assured in the second innings but has gifted his wicket away to spinners in the first innings which he will be looking to improve. The Indian captain has a brilliant record with the bat in day and night Test which he will be again looking to maintain in the third Test at Ahmedabad.
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5. Ajinkya Rahane
The veteran Ajinkya Rahane scored a valuable half-century when India was under pressure in the second Test. In the middle order, Rahane will be looking to be positive and put pressure on the England spinners. The Indian vice-captain just needs to improve his conversation rate and score big after reaching the milestone of 50 in the third Test match.
6. Rishabh Pant (WK)
At current batting form, Rishabh Pant is probably the best Test batsman of India. Pant has already notched up 2 half-centuries in the Test series and he will be ardent to reach three-figures in the pink-ball Test. England will have to find a way to dismiss Pant early otherwise the Indian wicket-keeper batsman will once again take the match away from them and play another counter-attacking knock.
7. Axar Patel
The all-rounder will be high on confidence after he picked his maiden 5 wicket haul at Chennai. Come to the third Test, Axar Patel will be striving to enhance his reputation as a batsman in international cricket and contribute with both bat and ball. After his brilliant show with the ball Axar Patel is almost certain to be part of the playing XI for the third Test.
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8. Ravichandran Ashwin
The seasoned Indian off-spinner had a dream Test match in his hometown. Not only Ashwin picked 8 wickets but also scored a century on a challenging surface and made the statement. Ashwin may not pick a lot of wicket in the pink ball Test but expect him to keep thing tight at one end so that it builds pressure and seamers can pick wickets at the other end.
9. Mohammed Siraj
The ever-improving Mohammed Siraj will be looking forward to bowl with the pink ball. Siraj can surely use the conditions to his advantage as he is known to swing the ball both way and pick up early wickets. Siraj is likely to take the new ball for India as England batsmen will have to be on top of their game against an in-form Siraj.
10. Ishant Sharma
The third Test will be special for Ishant Sharma as he will be playing in his 100th Test match. The experienced Indian fast bowler was outstanding in the first-ever pink ball Test that India played against Bangladesh in 2019. Ishant has already crossed the mark of 300 wickets in the series and he will be pumped up to add many more in the day and night Test match.
11. Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah is expected to return in the side for the third Test match. Bumrah was rested in the second Test and gave an opportunity to Kuldeep Yadav. However, the pink ball Test will assist the pacers more and that is why the leader of India’s pace attack will feature in the playing XI. England will have to counter the threat of the skilful India fast bowler as he can go through the England batting line-up.
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