India and England will be back in action for the third Test of the series. India have taken a 1-0 lead in the series after an emphatic victory in Lord’s.
Match Timings: Aug 25, 3:30 PM IST
Match Preview
Team India have reached Leeds for the third Test of the series. England series has been promising good for India as they dominated both Tests. Rain spoiled the party in the first Test but they delivered a fine comeback in the second Test to script a famous victory in Lord’s. India’s record in Lord’s is better than any ground in England as they haven’t lost a Test here since 1967.
India played good cricket and most importantly, we saw a collective brilliance. They were out of the contest after day four but day 5 showcased a different India. Shami and Bumrah’s partnership set the tone in the first session followed by a pace brilliance from Indian bowlers in the next 50 overs. This victory is not less than the glory of Gabba and the Indian side is boosted.
The search for the first series win after 2007 may get complete this year and India would look to carry this form in third Test as well. KL Rahul is the leading run-scorer of the series for India with one hundred and a half-century. He will open with Rohit. Rahane and Pujara’s resilience in Lord’s were great so both will carry their positions. Kohli would look for a big knock which is missing since 2019. Thakur is fit now but India may try Ashwin considering 3-4 left-handers in England batting unit. It means Ishant Sharma will miss out.
Meanwhile, England has to find a lot of answers in this do-die Test. If they lose, they have to win both remaining matches to avoid a series loss at home. Before heading to Ashes, they have so many questions. England will try new openers with Burns and Haseeb, Dawid Malan is expected to bat in middle-order. Overton would replace Mark Wood in the pace attack. Moeen Ali had a decent outing in the last game and he would be crucial if we see a little bit of spin in this game. Batting is their big concern and only Joe Root is delivering who scored two hundred in two Tests. Middle-order has the experience and have to deliver. Sibley and Crawley both have been ruled out of this Test due to poor form. Green grass might be used on the pitch and England would make a good bouncy track to test Indian batsmen. England lost the game on the final day in Lord’s after having a dominant display after the fourth day. India are strong favourites for this game and we might see a cracking Test in Leeds.
Pitch Report
Leeds’ track is a fine batting track and it will allow batsmen to score runs. Pitch will help bowlers after day 3 and we might spin taking charge on the final day.
Possible XI
England
Rory Burns, Haseeb Hameed, Dawid Malan, Joe Root (c), Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wk), Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Ollie Robinson, Overton, James Anderson
India
Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, C Pujara, Virat Kohli (C), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk), R Jadeja, Shradul Thakur/R Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, M Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah
Key Players
England
Joe Root
The leading run-getter in Tests in 2021, scored hundred in both Tests
James Anderson
A fine pacer in such conditions
India
KL Rahul
Leading run-scorer in Test series with one hundred and one fifty
Jasprit Bumrah
9 wickets in the first Test including a fifer, handy with the bat as well
