India vs England 2021: Best Predicted Playing 11 for 3rd Test – Suryakumar Yadav to Play?

India vs England 2021: Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane in focus as we look at the best predicted playing 11 for the 3rd Test. 

2-0 is what it could have been had the rain not affected the first Test match between India and England. India were the dominant team in both the Tests, and could have easily taken a 2-0 at the end of two Tests. But 1-0 is definitely not a bad result so far looking at Team India’s recent history in England.

The Indian team looks confident, and is on track to make history as they move into the third Test. The third Test would be played at Leeds, Headingly where none of the current Indian team members played previously. 2002 it was when India last played a Test at Leeds. It was a historic win for Team India as India defeated England by an innings as 46 runs; their only innings victory in England.

So, moving into the third Test, will Team India stick to the same playing 11 combination, or bring in Suryakumar Yadav for either Cheteshwar Pujara or Ajinkya Rahane? Let’s find out in this article. Before that, let’s quickly skim through the squad for Team India for the Test Series. 

India vs England 2021 – Team India’s Official Test Squad 

Batsmen: Abhimanyu Easwaran, Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, Hanuma Vihari, KL Rahul (WK), Mayank Agarwal, Prithvi Shaw, Rishabh Pant (WK), Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Virat Kohli (C) & Wriddhiman Saha (WK)

All-rounders: Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin & Ravindra Jadeja

Bowlers: Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur & Umesh Yadav

India vs England 2021 – 3rd Test Predicted Playing 11:

Openers: Rohit Sharma & KL Rahul

Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul have so far lived on to all the expectations as an opener. The duo has provided healthy starts in 2 of the 4 innings, which is the biggest positive so far for Team India. With non-firing middle-order, the role of KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma becomes very important. Hopefully, the duo continues on to their form, and help provide a good start. 

Middle-order: Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (C) & Ajinkya Rahane

The biggest question for Team India going into the third Test would be the selection of their key middle-order players, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane. The duo did play a fine knock in the second innings, but is that enough for them to secure a place for the third Test?

Well, had Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane not played that knock, Hanuma Vihari and Suryakumar Yadav would have most-likely replaced them in the third Test. But the two important knocks on the second Test just give them insurance to play 1 more Test where they would once again be under the hammer.

Meanwhile, the form of Virat Kohli isn’t pleasing either. Captain Kohli is yet to make a big impact on this tour with his scores reading 0, 42, and 20. With Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane themselves not contributing big, India would need their star player and captain to score a big knock.

Wicket-keeper: Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant has so far played a few attacking knocks down the order, and those have certainly helped the Indian team. But India would need their star wicket-keeper batsman to convert those quick starts into big knocks. Only then, India would be a dominant force in the batting department too. 

Spin All-rounder: Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja shall once again start as the spin all-rounder for Team India with a key role at the number 7 position. He has provided a good impetus for Team India so far in the tournament, and India would need him to continue doing that. While his utilization in the bowling department has been low, it could come in handy on Day 4 and Day 5 at Leeds. 

Pacers: Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj & Jasprit Bumrah

The pace quartet seems to be the new normal for Team India having seen success in the first two matches. In all possibilities, Team India should stick to the same combination for the third Test. Hence, expect all four, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj to play the third Test. 

England vs India 2021: 3rd Test Best Predicted Playing 11 for Team India:

Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (C), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja,  Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah & Mohammed Siraj. 

England would face a few important selection issues ahead of the third Test. Mark Wood is injured, hence expect Saqib Mahmood to replace him. Dom Sibley is dropped, hence expect Dawid Malan to replace him in the playing 11. The rest of the playing 11 could remain the same. 

England vs India 2021: 3rd Test Best Predicted Playing 11 for England:

Rory Burns, Dawid Malan, Haseeb Hameed, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root (C), Jos Buttler (WK), Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Saqib Mahmood, Ollie Robinson & James Anderson.

Match Details:

• Type: 3rd Test, India Tour of England 2021
• When: August 25-29, 2021
• Where: Headingly, Leeds
• Time: 3:30 pm IST start

Thanks for reading! What’s your predicted playing 11 for the 2021 India vs England 3rd Test? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com

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