England vs India: India’s predicted playing XI for third Test

After India’s epic win at Lord’s, the action resumes at Headingly on Wednesday (25 August) for the third Test match of the five-match series between England and India. The momentum is with the visitors, and they will look to continue with it and take control in the third Test as well. Traditionally, India doesn’t always take a lead in abroad matches and this is a good opportunity for them to continue to impress in Leeds, a pitch that generally offers help for spinners more.

Interestingly, India skipper Virat Kohli has gone with a 4-1 pace and spin combination for the first two Test matches. Although speculations were going around that Ravi Ashwin might play, overcast conditions at Lord’s promoted Kohli to go with one spinner with Ravi Jadeja. But, with rains not forecasted for this week and the pitch too being traditionally on a slower side at Leed’s, Kohli might think of bringing Aswhin into the equation.

Apart from that, there won’t be many changes in the line-up with the rest of the squad picking themselves up. The batting came under the scanner after the first Test match, but quite a few senior players delivered and have managed to silence the doubters for time being.  

Here is India’s predicted XI for the third Test against England:

Openers: Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul

Of all the positive things in the series so far, the form of the openers is the biggest gain. Generally considered a weaker area, Rohit Sharma, as well as KL Rahul, have responded well by seeing off the new ball and scoring runs at a good clip as well. Sharma had to cop a fair bit of criticism due to him not converting his starts into something substantial in the away Tests. But the senior batter has delivered by scoring a brilliant 83 in the second Test at Lord’s. He has been a perfect foil to Rahul.

On the other hand, the Karnataka batter who was tipped to bat in the middle-order before the series was forced to open batting when Mayank Agarwal was concussed. Rahul has grabbed this opportunity with both hands and has so far registered 84, 26, 129, and 5 in two Test matches.

The duo will be hoping to continue with the same form and try to give India a good start up front. With the pitch aiding a bit for seamers with a new ball, Sharma and Rahul will again look to leave the balls well.

Middle-order and wicketkeeper: Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, and Rishabh Pant 

The return to the form of Cheteshwar Pujara augurs well for India. Yes, he took his time, but with three quick wickets falling around, India’s Mr. dependable decided to blunt and frustrate the English bowlers by playing risk-free cricket. He scored 45 runs off 206 balls and formed a crucial 100-run stand with Rahane for the fifth wicket. Pujara will look to bat the same way as he batted in Lord’s at Leeds.

Skipper Virat Kohli’s struggles continued as he yet again failed to get going. While he managed to score 42 and 20 in the Lord’s Test, he was far from his fluent best. He looked in decent nick in the second innings, but his old habits of poking of the balls that are to be left alone came back to haunt him. But with Leeds being drier, Kohli can fancy himself to get his eye in and then go for attacking shots. India’s Test vice-captain though got amongst runs and scored 61 invaluable runs.

The right-hand batter curbed his natural instincts and played according to the situation. He looked good to get a hundred before his nemesis Moeen Ali got him. Meanwhile, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant could not quite get going as to how he would have liked. The stage was set on the fifth day for the southpaw to add some quick runs, but he departed in trying to chase a wide. Pant will be itching to get back among runs at Leeds.

All-rounder: Ravindra Jadeja

India will stick with Ravindra Jadeja as the lone spinner owing 4-1 pace and spin combination. In Lord’s Test Jadeja, failed to make an impact with bat and ball. He didn’t bowl a lot too. But with Leed’s pitch being more to his liking, Jadeja’s role becomes important.

Bowlers: Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Jasprit Bumrah

It was the quartet of four pace bowlers that helped India win the Lord’s Test. If Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah added an unbroken 89-run stand for the ninth wicket, then Siraj too was brilliant throughout the match as he picked up eight wickets. Ishant Sharma too played his role perfectly by striking at regular intervals.

As Nasser Hussain says it is the bowler that wins you the games and this time too it proved right. Siraj managed to bowl with intent and aggression which was followed by Bumrah, Ishant, and Shami. With momentum by their side, the bowlers will look to drive home the advantage.

India’s Predicted XI for the first Test match against England: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (C), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah