England vs India, 3rd Test, Preview: India sail against the tide to keep themselves afloat at Trent Bridge

The five-match Test series against England has thus far been equivalent to a nightmare for India, to say the least. The visiting team is currently 0-2 down in the series and is scheduled to play their next match at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. Virat Kohli and Co started the series by giving the Englishmen a run for their money in the opening encounter at Edgbaston in Birmingham.

The Lord’s Test turned out to be a drab affair as India surrendered without any fight whatsoever. While their bowlers have been up to the mark, the batters, barring Kohli, the Indian captain, hasn’t made any sort of impact. Another slip-up on their part in the upcoming encounter may also seal the fate of the series. England, on the contrary, are brimming with confidence after two back-to-back wins.

Someone or the other has always put their hands up in crisis situations and bailed their team out of precarious positions. Nevertheless, the Brits haven’t been invincible at the venue and have won only 22 out of 61 matches while losing 17. The conditions are again likely to favour the fast-bowlers and the Indian batsmen will have to play out of their skins to turn the tables on the home team.

Toss: England won the toss and elected to field

India (Playing XI): Shikhar Dhawan, Lokesh Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah

England (Playing XI): Alastair Cook, Keaton Jennings, Joe Root(c), Ollie Pope, Jonny Bairstow(w), Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Stuart Broad, James Anderson

Team Combination

India

After two defeats, India will make a few changes in the squad. KL Rahul has been awful with the willow and Shikhar Dhawan, who was dropped for the second Test at the Home of Cricket, will take his place back in the eleven. Despite bagging a duck, Murali Vijay remains to be persisted with. Virat Kohli has recovered from the back injury and is likely to take the field tomorrow.

Rishabh Pant may also be given his maiden Test cap after Dinesh Karthik flattered to deceive in the first two encounters. Jasprit Bumrah’s return is expected to be a massive boost for the Indian team and Kuldeep Yadav is likely to make way for him. Ajinkya Rahane and Hardik Pandya would also like to get their form back. Ravichandran Ashwin is the lone specialist spinner.

England

England are also in with a couple of selection conundrums ahead of the important contest. Ace all-rounder Ben Stokes, who was earlier proven innocent in the nightclub brawl case, will play in all probability, especially after how he performed in the opening Test in London. Sam Curran, the Surrey all-rounder will be the unlucky player to be left out.

The fast-bowling department will also be strengthened if Stokes finds his way into the eleven. Buttler, after an impressive limited-overs series, hasn’t quite performed. Adil Rashid didn’t have much to do at Lord’s, but the management may stick with him. The openers- Alastair Cook and Keaton Jennings would love to get some runs under their belt.

Players to watch out for  

Cheteshwar Pujara- India

Pujara has been in England for quite a while and hasn’t had a smooth ride by any stretch of the imagination. After not playing the first Test, he was unlucky to be run out in the first innings at Lord’s. However, in the second innings, he showed the zeal to put a price tag on his wicket. India’s chance of staging a comeback depends on how Pujara wields his magic with the willow.

James Anderson- England

Anderson is currently the leading wicket-taker in the series with 13 wickets from two matches. He also hasn’t leaked runs and has an economy rate of 2.11. He terrified the Indian batsmen at Lord’s and would love to repeat his heroics. The pacer is again expected to play a pivotal role if the Poms are to win the contest and the series with two matches left.

Stat Attack

59– Runs needed by Ajinkya Rahane to complete 3000 runs in Test cricket. He also needs 51 more runs to accomplish 9000 runs in his first-class career.

1– Number of Test matches India won at Trent Bridge out of 6

Head to Head

Matches – 119 | England Won – 45; India Won – 25 | Draw – 49

Broadcast details

TV – Sony SIX, Sony SIX HD, Sony TEN 3

Live streaming– Sony LIV

Match Timings – 3:30 PM IST

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