India Have Unbelievable Seam Attack, But England Are Favourites - Claims Zak Crawley and Pitch Report & Playing XI
India defeated England in the 2nd test to level the four-match series 1-1. The two teams will now be playing each other in the Day/Night test at the newly constructed stadium at Motera.
IND vs ENG 3rd Test: Match Details & Preview:
- Date – 24th February 2021
- Time – 2:30 PM IST
- Venue – Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad
Preview: Indian batsmen showed some exceptional batting on a surface which supported bowlers. Rohit Sharma played a wonderful inning of 161 in the primary innings alongside Ajinkya Rahane. Virat Kohli and R Ashwin showed coarseness and class in the subsequent innings. Rishabh Pant was as common in a mastery mode. India is probably going to play a similar batting setup, excepting a physical issue.
R Ashwin was a treat to watch in the last match as was debutant Axar Patel, who upheld him well. India rested Jasprit Bumrah, who is probably going to make a rebound supplanting Kuldeep Yadav. Mohammad Siraj and Ishant Sharma are likewise likely starters for the third test.
Team: India - Virat Kohli (Capt), Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vc), KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant (wk), Wriddhiman Saha (wk), R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Md. Siraj.
England - Jonny Bairstow and Mark wood have joined the squad for the final two tests. Sam Curran won't be able to join the team in Tests due to logistical issues.
When inquired as to whether England were top picks playing against a moving ball, Crawley, in a cooperation with British media on Saturday, said, "I figure it will wander right into whatever we might have had planned."
"We have grown up with those conditions, attempting to play the ball late in seaming conditions, so you would say we would be more adroit at it than the Indians." "That is most likely why they are staggering players of turn, since they have grown up with it," Crawley added. In any case, the 23-year-old is very much aware that the hosts are equipped with an intense crease assault just as skilful batsmen making them fit for taking care of all conditions.
"All things considered, they have an inconceivable crease assault and mind boggling batsmen so it will not assistance us to an extreme. They will be more than competent," he said alluding to arrange initiated by the redoubtable Jasprit Bumrah and involving prepared warhorses like Ishant Sharma and new discover Mohammed Siraj.
The two elements are playing in the Indian group's brain. Introductory pictures starting from the earliest stage a thick grass cover on the pitch, which is ordinary in Indian conditions to keep up the dampness. Yet, day-night Tests with the pink ball, which has an additional layer of enamel to keep the sparkle unblemished, are for the most part played on pitches with grass which can help development. At home, India have played just a single day-night Test, against Bangladesh in 2019, where everything except one wicket went to the pacers.
"We are at a phase where we need more insight as players (with the pink ball). We have quite recently played one day-night game which with SG ball, the homegrown (day-night five star) games which I have played was with kookaburra ball. It's hard to anticipate whether to keep the grass cover or whether to you can in any case take it off," Cheteshwar Pujara, who was essential for India's just home day-night Test at the Eden Gardens, said on Saturday.
"It would seem that a fair pitch yet it's hard to foresee at this stage considering we are playing with the pink ball. Now and again you expect something and it turns out something different with the pink ball."
While Pujara saved his decision on the pink ball, the England camp is cheerful it has given indications of helping swing. After their capitulation on a Chepauk turner in the second Test in Chennai, which has left the arrangement level at 1-1, conditions that guide swing will enchant England's speed unit.
"We've been bowling with them in the nets—they have swung a considerable amount and they've endured longer, which was intriguing to see," said England pacer Mark Wood. "With the ball, when it moves, all of the bowlers from the recent months is kicking the bucket to get it in their grasp. The wickets in the nets have been somewhat green and had great speed and convey as well. I couldn't say whether that is anything to pass by or whether it's somewhat of a stunt, published by - The Beyond News (Sports)