Last Updated on 4 years by Charbel Coorey

IND vs ENG 3rd Test Dream11 Prediction Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | IND vs ENG 3rd Test Dream11 Prediction Today | India vs England 3rd Test Key Players | Ahmedabad Pitch Report

After two contrasting Tests to kick off this blockbuster four-match contest, the series takes a different shape as we move to the day/night contest at the cauldron that is the Sarder Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad.

India, after dishing out a thrashing in Chennai led by R Ashwin and Rohit Sharma, have the opportunity to take a giant step towards the World Test Championship Final with victory here. To do that, a different skillset will be required, including overcoming England’s skilled pace attack and relying more on pace bowling this time than was the case in Chennai.

With regards to England, if you had offered them 1-1 heading into the day/night Test, they would have taken it. Eyes will be on the ageless James Anderson and what impact he can create particularly under lights, as well as the likes of Jofra Archer and Stuart Broad (if picked). Of course, the big challenge also for England is whether their batting can hold their own against a good Indian pace attack that is a very dangerous proposition particularly if there is any movement around.

After all the talk about the IPL 2021 Auction, Test cricket is back. And an interesting match awaits.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• India:

• Rohit Sharma loves playing at home, particularly if India bats first. He averages 80.52 in 16 home Tests after his superb 161 in the last Test.
• Cheteshwar Pujara hit a double-century (206*) vs England on this ground back in 2012.
• Virat Kohli has hit two half-centuries this series, both in the second-innings. He will be keen to perform in the first dig against a side whom he has a good record against: 21 Tests, 1,715 runs, avg. 47.63.
• Rishabh Pant has struck two fifties in two games this series, part of a superb career average of 44.85 in 18 Tests. Also, his wicket-keeping is improving.
• Ravichandran Ashwin is coming off a world-class performance, scoring a century and taking eight wickets in Chennai. He now has the most wickets of any current Indian player in IND-ENG Tests (73, avg. 32.16).
• Jasprit Bumrah, after enjoying a rest in the second Test, is back for this one. He will be one to watch, particularly under lights where the pink ball can move around.
• Umesh Yadav has taken 96 wickets at 24.54 in home Tests.

England:

• Joe Root is in such fine form that he was able to bat nearly 100 deliveries in the fourth innings on a tough Chennai pitch. He has struck 723 runs in four Tests in 2021 so far, at an average of 90.37. Also, he averages 58.73 in India.
• Ben Stokes is having a quiet series so far (115 runs, avg. 28.75). He will be key in this game, as he looks to bump his average of 35.38 in India up towards 40 again.
• Ben Foakes’ wicket-keeping caught the attention of millions around the world. Also, his batting was impressive against spin in Chennai. However, he will have to contend with India’s pace bowling this time around.
• James Anderson has the most wickets of any bowler in IND-ENG Tests (115, avg. 25.42). He was superb on the final day of the first Test, and he will be key under lights in this Test.
• Stuart Broad (if picked) and Jofra Archer will also be key, along with Jack Leach who has taken 12 wickets in two Tests so far.

Stats and Facts

• Virat Kohli is without a century in his last 34 international knocks. This is his longest streak.
• Ishant Sharma is set to play his 100th Test. Only Kapil Dev has played more (131) among Indian seamers.
• Fast bowlers have picked up 354 wickets at an average of 24.47 in pink-ball Tests. Spinners, on the other hand, have taken 115 at 35.38.

Possible Playing 11

Kuldeep Yadav is likely to be left out for Jasprit Bumrah. Also, Umesh Yadav is fit and could replace Mohammad Siraj. Umesh would be a good pick, given he has a superb record at home.

India: 1. Rohit Sharma, 2. Shubman Gill, 3. Cheteshwar Pujara, 4. Virat Kohli (c), 5. Ajinkya Rahane, 6. Rishabh Pant (wk), 7. R Ashwin, 8. Axar Patel, 9. Ishant Sharma, 10. Umesh Yadav, 11. Jasprit Bumrah

England could look at playing all three of Stuart Broad, James Anderson and Jofra Archer with the pink ball. We’ve had a look at England’s best possible XI for this Test, with Zak Crawley a chance of playing.

England: 1. Rory Burns/Zak Crawley, 2. Dominic Sibley, 3. Jonny Bairstow, 4. Joe Root (c), 5. Ben Stokes, 6. Ollie Pope, 7. Ben Foakes (wk), 8. Jofra Archer, 9. Jack Leach, 10. James Anderson, 11. Stuart Broad/Chris Woakes

Sarder Patel Stadium Ahmedabad Pitch Report and Weather

Images of the pitch showed plenty of grass in the lead up to the Test. A lot of the grass will be shaved off, but expect the seamers to still have a say in the first few days, particularly under lights. With the temperatures hovering around 35 degrees during the day throughout the Test, the spinners will come into play later as the pitched will be baked under plenty of hot sunshine.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Match Prediction

The toss has proven crucial in this series so far. However, the pink ball and game under lights brings the teams closer together. This promises to be a fascinating clash with India starting as favourites, particularly if they do get to bat first.

Thanks for reading!