India, England set to lock horns in the third Test at Headingley
India and England take to the field once again in the Pataudi Trophy on Wednesday, 25th August. The third Test will take place at the Headingley Stadium, Leeds, after a nine-day break post the second Test at Lord’s.
India sit pretty with a 1-0 lead, having registered a 151-run victory in Lord’s in a historic game to say the least. The Virat Kohli-led side will be looking at extending their lead in the third Test, counting on momentum and being acclimatized to the English conditions.
Ahead of the third Test, here are a few noteworthy talking points:
Pujara, Rahane find form
Test cricket seniors Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane had been in the talks of late for not being among the runs. However, a 100-run partnership for the fourth wicket in the second innings between them has silenced the naysayers. Their form will be crucial in providing India stability in the middle overs.
50-run partnership between Pujara and Rahane as #TeamIndia don't lose a single wicket in the second session 🙌
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) August 15, 2021
🇮🇳 - 105/3 at Tea ☕, Lead by 78 runs.#OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #ENGvIND @BCCI pic.twitter.com/YUVBmrEx5u
Indian pacers raring to go
The Indian pacers let their bowling do all the talking at Lord’s, sharing 19 wickets between themselves. Siraj is in red hot form, claiming eight of those for himself. Shami and Bumrah were responsible for early, crucial breakthroughs, with Ishant picking five handy wickets across the two innings.
Siraj's twin strikes followed by Shami's late breakthrough keeps 🇮🇳 on track 💪
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) August 13, 2021
🏴 trail by 245 runs with Root still at the crease.#OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #ENGvIND @mdsirajofficial @BCCI pic.twitter.com/eo0PhDuGg7
England search for stability
While England captain Joe Root stood tall with a 180* (321) in the first innings of the second Test, it barely mattered as the team lost a flurry of wickets in the second innings, costing them a game that could’ve at least been a draw. A third-wicket partnership of 42 runs was their highest, and the team lost five wickets in the last thirty runs, falling to 120/10.
Malan, Maqboob included in squad
The England management has put its weight behind Yorkshire batter Dawid Malan, dropping Zak Crawley and Dom Sibley. Lancashire pacer Saqib Mahmood too has been called into the Test squad in a search for answers to India’s game.
India at Leeds
The last time India played a Test match at Leeds was about two decades ago in 2002. Fans were treated to special knocks from Rahul Dravid (148), Sachin Tendulkar (193) and Sourav Ganguly (128) to power India to an innings and 46-runs victory against an England side led by Nasser Hussain.
India will take on England in the third Test at 3.30 PM IST.
