IND vs ENG Match Preview- 3rd Test, 2024

Rajkot plays host to the IND vs ENG third Test from February 15-19. The five-match Test series is poised 1-1 after the first two Test matches. England won the first Test while India bounced back in the second.

The third Test will be played at a venue where just two Test matches have been played in the past. A slow turner is expected to be dished out for the IND ve ENG third Test. Given the current form of most of the Indian batters, only time will tell whether this is a wise decision.

The BCCI meanwhile, has asked the players, not the Indian Test squad to play the next round of Ranji Trophy matches. The BCCI is reportedly dissatisfied with the current form of a few players and their unwillingness to play in domestic cricket despite their poor form. Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer are the two players on whom the board is keeping a close eye.

Meanwhile, heading into the third Test, there will be selection issues in both camps with the return of a few players and some key players missing. Virat Kohli continues to be absent from the remaining three Test matches due to personal reasons. He is known to have informed the BCCI of his absence.

Meanwhile, visa delay issues have resurfaced in the England camp. This time it is Rehan Ahmed who is in problem. He was initially prohibited from entering the Rajkot airport after England’s mid-series break in Abu Dhabi because he only held a single-entry visa.

The local authorities came to his rescue and handed him a two-day emergency visa that allowed him to be with his teammates and return to India. The ECB has been assured that the matter will be resolved in the next 24 to 48 hours. Previously England spinner Shoaib Bashir missed out on the first Test after there was a delay in his visa arrival as well.

IND vs ENG Match Preview- 3rd Test, 2024

India

The BCCI announced the Indian squad for the final three Test matches. KL Rahul who was initially named in the Indian squad was ruled out of the second Test after the NCA medical team informed the BCCI that he has not yet fully recovered from his quadriceps injury. Devdutt Padikkal has been named as his replacement. Ravindra Jadeja has also been included and his selection will be based on his fitness.

Among the bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah is likely to be rested in the third Test. He played back-to-back Test matches and won the Player of the Match in the second Test. Mohd Siraj who was rested in the second Test is expected to replace him.

There are a few selection conundrums still over the likes of KS Bharat, Dhruv Jurel, Sarfaraz Khan, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel.

It will be a toss-up between Kuldeep and Axar if Jadeja is fit and selected for the third Test. Bengal pacer Akash Deep was also named in the Test squad as a potential backup. Washington Sundar is also a part of the Indian Test squad for the third Test. He was a part of the Indian Test squad for the first two Tests as well.

India Squad

Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Sarfaraz Khan, Rajat Patidar, Ravindra Jadeja, KS Bharat (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Axar Patel, R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, Devdutt Padikkal

England

England have been dealt with a heavy blow leading into the third Test. Jack Leach has been ruled out of the remaining three Test matches due to his knee injury. He did not play the second Test. The ECB said in s statement that he will return from Abu Dhabi back to England and rehabilitate with the England and Somerset medical teams.

England have not opted to ask for a replacement. They will now have the two inexperienced spinners Rehan Ahmed and Tom Hartley to work with. With Leach ruled out, Joe Root automatically becomes the third spin option.

While the batting order looks to be settled there might be changes within the England bowling lineup. James Anderson was the only pacer in the second Test while Mark Wood played as the only pacer in the first Test. With Leach ruled out, the management might be tempted to bring in an extra pacer.

Meanwhile, as per the latest reports in The Guardian, Rehan Ahmed’s availability for the IND vs ENG third Test in Rajkot is still not confirmed.

Ahmed was held up at immigration when England returned from their mid-series break in Abu Dhabi on Monday evening, with the 19-year-old leg-spinner found to have a single-entry visa that had expired after leaving the country.

He was allowed entry to India and was able to stay with his teammates after the local authorities issued him a temporary visa. The Rehan incident follows the Shoiab Bashir incident after the England spinner missed the first Test due to a delay in visa arrival.

“We were advised, on returning to India, that there was a paperwork discrepancy with Rehan Ahmed’s visa. The local authorities at Rajkot Airport were supportive, enabling Rehan entry on a temporary visa. The correct visa should be processed and issued in the coming days. He will continue to prepare with the rest of the squad ahead of the third Test” an England spokesperson said.

England Squad

Ben Stokes (Captain), Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Daniel Lawrence, Rehan Ahmed, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Foakes, Ollie Pope, James Anderson, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Tom Hartley, Jack Leach, Ollie Robinson, Mark Wood.

Also Read: Devdutt Padikkal hasn’t joined team India despite being announced as a replacement cover for KL Rahul