The third Test of the England tour of India is scheduled to take place at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot on February 15, 2024, starting at 9:30 AM IST. The series is currently tied at 1-1, with India securing a victory in the last game.
- Venue changed from Ahmedabad to Indore: The 3rd Test was originally scheduled to be played in Ahmedabad. However, the BCCI decided to shift it to Indore due to issues with the ground conditions in Ahmedabad.
- India ponders changes to playing XI: India is likely to make some changes to their playing XI after losing the 2nd Test. Names like Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, and Shardul Thakur are being discussed as potential replacements.
- Ben Stokes still uncertain: England all-rounder Ben Stokes is still uncertain for the 3rd Test as he continues his recovery from a knee injury. His participation will be a huge boost for England.
- Pitch expected to favor spinners: The Holkar Cricket Stadium pitch in Indore is expected to be spin-friendly, with turn and bounce on offer. This could favor Indian spinners like Ashwin and Jadeja.
- Jos Buttler expected to retain spot: Despite struggles lately, under-fire England keeper-batter Jos Buttler is likely to retain his spot thanks to a lack of replacement options. A good show is crucial for his future.
- Anderson and Broad could reunite: James Anderson and Stuart Broad, England’s most successful new ball pair, might reunite in the playing XI after injury issues. Their skills and experience could test India.
Here’s a brief recap of the previous match:
- India won the toss and elected to bat first. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s remarkable double-century powered India to a total of 396 runs.
- England’s openers, led by Zak Crawley, provided a strong start but were eventually bowled out for 253 runs.
- In the third innings, Shubman Gill’s century helped India reach a total of 255 runs, setting England a target of 399 runs.
- Crawley continued his impressive form, but England fell short by 106 runs, getting bowled out for 292 runs
Weather Report for Rajkot:
The weather is expected to be clear, with a temperature of 28.8°C and 12% humidity.
Probable Playing XI:
India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma ©, Shubman Gill, RM Patidar, SN Khan, DC Jurel, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, JJ Bumrah, KL Yadav, Mohammed Siraj.
England: Zak Crawley, BM Duckett, Ollie Pope, JE Root, JM Bairstow, Ben Stokes ©, BT Foakes (wk), R Ahmed, T Hartley, Mark Wood, James Anders.
Rohit Sharma says:
As the series stands at 1-1, both teams are eager to secure a victory. Rohit Sharma’s statements and strategies will play a significant role in determining India’s approach in this crucial match. His experience and ability to adapt to different conditions make him a vital asset to the team.
Ravindra Jadeja says:
Jadeja has been out of action after sustaining a knee injury during the As test in 2024. He underwent surgery and has been recovering since then.
He was initially named in the Test squad for the England series in February 2024 but was later ruled out as he was still regaining full fitness.
The Indian team has missed his all-round abilities, especially his left-arm spin, lower-order batting, and electric fielding. There were hopes he would return for the important England series, but he has not yet been picked as he continues his rehab.
With the 3rd Test due to start on 15 February in Indore, it’s unlikely Jadeja will make it in time to be part of the playing XI. Neither he nor the team management have made any recent comments about the possibility of his return for this match.
I will have to wait for any official updates from Jadeja himself or the BCCI before being able to provide any direct quotes from him regarding his availability, fitness or thoughts on the 3rd India-England Test.