India vs England – 3rd Test Match Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is India vs England taking place? Wednesday, February 24th, 2021 – 09:00 (UK)
Where is India vs England taking place? Sardar Patel (Gujarat) Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad
What is the expected weather for India vs England? 35-36c with sunshine forecast and searing temperatures all five days
What channel is India vs England on? The match will be televised live on Channel 4
Where can I stream India vs England? The match can be streamed live via SkyGo
LAST MEETING
India beat England by 317 runs
THE TEAM NEWS
INDIA
- India bounced back nicely in the second Test in Chennai as they hammered England by 317 runs and they benefitted from winning the toss as they elected to bat first and that will surely be the plan for whichever team wins the toss here as they aim to make their opponents toil in the field in the searing heat.
- There will be no shortage of motivation from the home side as there will be as many as 50,000 fans in the stadium for this day-night Test while they know they cannot afford to lose either of the next two Tests as there is a place in the World Test Championship within their reach.
- Despite the comprehensive win last time out, rotations are expected for Virat Kohli’s men as Jasprit Bumrah will come back into the side while Umesh Yadav could also be handed a recall as Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj could both drop out of the side for a rest.
ENGLAND
- England come into this day-night Test under a degree of pressure in Ahmedabad as they will need to show big character to bounce back from the mauling they suffered in Chennai last time out and they will be desperate to win the toss.
- There are further changes to the squad as Jonny Bairstow, Zak Crawley, Jofra Archer and Jimmy Anderson come back into the equation and the quartet are all expected to come back into the team as the English selectors try to keep the side fresh.
- Rory Burns, Dan Lawrence, Moeen Ali and Olly Stone are the ones likely to make way while Chris Woakes or Dom Bess are tipped to replace Stuart Broad and that decision will come down to their interpretation of the conditions.
THE PREDICTION
India were dominant in the second Test in Chennai where they levelled the series and the heat ramps up a notch in more ways than one as the third Test takes place in Ahmedabad. The key more than ever will be to win the toss and bat first for either side and that could very well dictate the winner once again. Joe Root’s men are going to have to show great character to fight back and they will hope the changes that they make will freshen them up. The day-night factor and use of the pink ball will suit them in many respects but the heat is a major concern for the tourists. Even if they do bat first, they will have to bat exceptionally well while the hosts do feel a little more toss-proof in many respects. The preference does go to the hosts to take a series lead here with a tough few days in store for England.
