Leeds: After registering an emphatic 151-run victory in the last Test at Lord’s and taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series, India will go in with confidence when they take on England in the third Test at the Headingley on Wednesday.
Virat Kohli’s men knocked the hosts out on the final day at Lord’s despite the Englishmen having the upper hand on the previous day. At once, it looked like even a 200-run lead will be out of reach for India, until Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami pulled off a surprising unbeaten 89-run to frustrate the hosts.
The partnership proved to be the turnaround as India’s pace battery comprising Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma ripped the English batting lineup apart making them dance to their tunes, and packing home for a mere 120 runs in just 51.5 overs.
Coming to Headingley, Kohli and his troops will be optimistic for a repeat knowing that history beckons India at this very ground. The last time the two teams have played a Test match at this ground was in 2002 when the holy trinity of Rahul Dravid (148), Sachin Tendulkar (193), and the then skipper Sourav Ganguly (128) propelled India to a 46-run victory Naseer Hussain’s home side.
England batters had outings to forget in both of their innings in the last game and it’s no surprise to see a couple of changes on Wednesday. Apart from skipper Joe Root, who hit a stunning 180 not out in the second innings at Lord’s, none were able to impress.
Both the openers Zak Crawley and Dominic Sibley have been omitted after being unable to perform. Dawid Malan got a call-up after three years and will probably squeeze into the No.3 slot. Youngster Haseeb Hameed and Rory Burns will likely open the innings for England.
However, the major concern for the hosts will be the absence of pacer Mark Wood who suffered a shoulder injury during the last game and also with Chris Woakes not fit, Saqib Mahmood could get his debut. For India, Kohli will probably go with an unchanged squad.
KL Rahul’s inclusion ahead of Mayank Agarwal has been a blessing for the visitors with the opener raking up a brilliant century in the first innings. However, depending upon the conditions, an outside chance of spinner Ravichandran Ashwin coming into the XI might be on the cards as India have a great chance on their hands to extend their lead.
Squads:
England: Joe Root (C), Saqib Mahmood, Dawid Malan, Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Haseeb Hameed, Dan Lawrence, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Mark Wood
India: Virat Kohli (C), Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Hanuma Vihari, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Mayank Agarwal, Ajinkya Rahane, Shardul Thakur, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), R. Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Umesh Yadav, KL Rahul, Ishant Sharma, Mohd. Shami, Md. Siraj, Wriddhiman Saha.
