The India Cricket Team will make a plethora of changes in their Playing XI for the IND vs ENG 3rd Test in Rajkot. This is mainly due to injury concerns and the absence of some key players in the team. With no KL Rahul, 2 players are all set to receive their maiden Test callups. These include the likes of Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel.
The top order and the bowling department remain unchanged. However, it will be the middle order that will go through many changes. India is set to miss 3 key batters – Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul, all unavailable for different reasons.
Despite his poor form, Rohit Sharma will continue to lead the hosts against the Three Lions. The Indian skipper will open proceedings with young southpaw Yashasvi Jaiswal. The youngster has been in fine touch and scoring runs at a rampant rate.
At number 3, Shubman Gill will retain his spot in the team. The classy batter has faltered time and again in red-ball cricket. But a stunning century in the Vizag Test has all but secured his place in the team.
Middle Order Conundrum
The middle order is the spot where there will be 2 debutants. Virat Kohli is missing the series owing to his personal reasons. Shreyas Iyer has been dropped after a string of poor performances. KL Rahul has been ruled out as he is yet to become 100% fit for the game. Devdutt Padikkal has been brought in as KL’s replacement.
KS Bharat will also be replaced and youngster Dhruv Jurel is slated to get his chance. At number 4, Rajat Patidar will play who made his Test debut in the previous game. Sarfaraz Khan who finally received his call-up in this series, will get his chance in a dream come true moment.
Apart from Sarfaraz, 23-year-old Dhruv Jurel will also make his debut. KS Bharat has been poor with the bat and the BCCI Selection Committee has run out of patience with the keeper. As a result, the young keeper is set to get his chance under the sun.
Ravindra Jadeja returns to the team after missing the previous Test. Jadeja suffered a hamstring injury in the Hyderabad Test. The all-rounder is set to undergo a late fitness test. However, reports claim that he has already received a green light from the medical team.
India To Go Spin Heavy In Rajkot
Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin will slot in as the next two batters. With Rajkot’s pitch likely to be a slow turner, it can be expected that India will go spin-heavy in this game.
Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj will lead the pace attack. There were reports which claimed that Bumrah might be rested. But that is not the case now. Bumrah can be rested for the 4th Test. On the other hand, Siraj joins the team after being rested in the 2nd game. He will go on to replace Mukesh Kumar in the team.
India Predicted XI – IND vs ENG 3rd Test
1. Rohit Sharma (C)
2. Yashasvi Jaiswal
3. Shubman Gill
4. Rajat Patidar
5. Sarfaraz Khan
6. Dhruv Jurel (Wk)
7. Ravindra Jadeja
8. Axar Patel
9. Ravi Ashwin
10. Jasprit Bumrah
11. Mohammed Siraj
India Squad for remainder of IND vs ENG Test: Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), KS Bharat (WK), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep.
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