IND vs ENG: Indian Cricket Team playing XI for 3rd test vs England, Rajkot - Predicted

IND vs ENG third test will begin on 15th February, 2024 in Rajkot.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a 17-member side for the final three test matches against England. The third IND vs ENG test will be played at Saurashtra Cricket Stadium in Rajkot. The same set of players will also play in the fourth and fifth matches scheduled to be played in Ranchi and Dharamshala. Shreyas Iyer will miss the remainder of the series.

Star Indian batter Virat Kohli also will be skipping the final three games against England due to personal reasons. Virat Kohli also skipped the first two games. Team India might make a few changes in their playing XI for the third test match in Rajkot. Let’s have a look at the predicted Indian Cricket Team playing XI for 3rd test vs England in Rajkot.

1. Rohit Sharma (C):

Rohit Sharma has scored only 90 runs in four innings against England in the ongoing five-match test series. Rohit got starts in the first test in Hyderabad but failed to convert them into a big score. Rohit Sharma will lead India against England in the Rajkot test and will be looking to play a big knock to shake off the pressure. Rohit is 173 runs away from the 4000-run mark in test cricket.

2. Yashasvi Jaiswal:

Left-hand opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal played the best knock of his test career so far in the second test in Vishakapatnam. Jaiswal scored 209 runs in the first innings, which was instrumental for India to bounce back and register a win. Jaiswal will be looking to recreate the same performance in Rajkot test as well. Jaiswal is also the leading run-scorer of the ongoing five-match test series with 321 runs to his name.

3. Shubman Gill:

Shubman Gill’s place was uncertain in the Indian playing XI, but his century in the second innings of the Visakhapatnam test has given the Indian number 3 batter another life in test cricket. Shubman Gill scored 104 runs in 147 balls with 11 fours and two sixes to secure his place back in the playing Xi. Shubman Gill will be looking to carry on with the momentum in Rajkot test.

4. Rajat Patidar:

KL Rahul has been ruled out of the third test against England in Rajkot due to sore knee. Rahul’s injury will give one more opportunity to Rajat Patidar in the Indian playing XI. Rajat Patidar made his test debut at the Dr. YSR ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. Patidar scored 32 runs in the first innings and got dismissed for nine in the second innings of the second test.

5. Sarfaraz Khan:

With Virat Kohli deciding to miss the remainder of the series due to personal reasons, Sarfaraz Khan has retained his place in the Indian squad. Rajat Patidar made his debut in the second test ahead of Sarfaraz Khan, but managed scores of 32 and 9 in two innings. Sarfaraz, who has been impressive in domestic circuit might get a go ahead of Patidar in the playing XI for Rajkot test.

6. KS Bharat (WK):

Wicket-keeper KS Bharat is likely to get a longer run despite the Indian side having Dhruv Jurel as another wicket-keeping option available in the squad. KS Bharat did a magnificent job as a wicket-keeper in the first two test matches, but failed to replicate the same with the bat. He would want to perform well in the upcoming test with his bat.

7. Ravindra Jadeja:

Ravindra Jadeja, who missed the second test due to hamstring injury, has been included in the squad for final three tests of the series. While his participation in the games is subject to fitness, no doubt India should draft him straight into the playing XI if he gets clearance from BCCI medical team. Jadeja is an integral part of the Indian test side at home.

8. Ravi Ashwin:

India’s leading match-winner in test cricket, Ravi Ashwin is just one wicket away from his special milestone of 500 test wickets. Ashwin is likely to complete this milestone in the Rajkot test. Ashwin picked up 3 wickets in the Visakhapatnam test. Ashwin will be leading India’s charge in the spin bowling department against England. Ashwin has so far picked up nine wickets in two games in the ongoing series.

9. Axar Patel:

With Ravindra Jadeja back in the Indian playing XI, team management might prefer Axar Patel over Kuldeep Yadav in the Indian playing XI. Axar Patel had a decent show in the first two tests with the bat, but failed to make an impact with the ball. Axar has scored 123 runs in four innings and picked up only five wickets in the ongoing five-match test series against England.

10. Jasprit Bumrah:

Before the announcement of squad for final three tests against England, it was reported that Jasprit Bumrah might get rested for the third test just like how Mohammed Siraj was rested during the second test, but Bumrah’s inclusion in the squad has partly made it clear that the in-form fast bowler will get another game in Rajkot. Bumrah has so far picked up 15 wickets in the ongoing test series including a match-winning 9-wicket haul in the second test in Vishakapatnam. The new No. 1 ranked ICC test bowler would want to continue his form in the upcoming test as well.

11. Mohammed Siraj:

Mohammed Siraj is likely to make his comeback in the Indian playing XI replacing Mukesh Kumar. Siraj had a poor game in Hyderabad and went wicketless. Siraj was rested from the second test in Visakhapatnam and Mukesh Kumar got the opportunity to be included in the playing XI. Mohammed Siraj will be playing alongside Jasprit Bumrah in the third test at Saurashtra Cricket Stadium in Rajkot.

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