India vs England 2021, 3rd Test- England’s Predicted Playing XI

England Test team have received a lot of criticism for the last year for its lackluster batting performance. Their batting unit has received a lot of flack for underwhelming performances. The two first two Tests of the ongoing five-match Test series against India saw English batters getting succumbed to some great fast bowling from the Men in Blue.

Barring Joe Root, none of the players looked assured at the crease. David Malan has been added for the third Test to add some experience to the top of the order. He will play his first Test after three years.

England are currently 1-0 behind in the five-match Test series, with three games left to be played. England lost the second Test by 151 runs. After India scored 364 runs in the first innings, Joe Root’s stellar 180-run knock made sure England take a 27-lead at the end of the second innings. England sent back India’s top three for 55 runs in their second innings.

However, two crucial partnerships between Pujara-Rahane and Shami-Bumrah helped India reach a competitive total and set England a 271-run target to chase. England, in reply, were bundled out for just 120 runs.

India vs England 2021, 3rd Test- England’s Predicted Playing XI

Rory Burns

Rory Burns has got starts but the Indians haven’t allowed him to play a big knock. In the second Test, he scored 49 runs in the first innings but went for a duck in the second innings. The southpaw has to deliver at the top of the order if England ought to pose a challenge against a solid Indian team.

Haseeb Hameed:

With Sibley set to miss out on the second Test, Hameed is likely to open in the third Test. He had a forgettable outing in the last Test. He scored a duck and nine runs in the first and second innings of the Test.

Dawid Malan

England have added Dawid Malan to the Test squad ahead of the third Test. The southpaw is expected to give some experience at the top of the order. He is a proven customer in white-ball cricket but played his last Test three years back. He has played 15 matches in his Test cricket career, scoring 724 runs at an average of 27.

Joe Root:

Joe Root has been only the only saving grace for England in the batting department. He has been scoring runs consistently and contributing the majority of runs for England. He is the highest run-getter in the series with 386 runs in 2 matches at an average of 128.67.

Jonny Bairstow:

Jonny Bairstow scored a valuable half-century in the first innings of the second Test. England, though, would need a lot more than that from him at the moment. He will be a vital cog for England in the coming matches for the hosts. It will be interesting to see how Jonny Bairstow plays in the remaining matches of the series.

Jos Buttler:

Jos Buttler is one of the most experienced campaigners in the England team. He is a consistent run-scorer in white-ball cricket but the same cannot be said about his Test cricket credentials. Buttler has struggled in the series thus far.

He scored 23 and 25 in the two innings of the second Test. He showed great fight in England’s second innings but eventually fell in the last session of the Test.

Moeen Ali

Moeen Ali was added to the second Test to strengthen England’s batting unit. He played his shots but couldn’t score a big knock which England needed. He scored 27 and 13 in the two innings. Moeen Ali has been drafted for his batting prowess and England would be hoping that he comes up with a solid contribution in the third Test.

Sam Curran

Sam Curran has failed to live up to the expectations in the series. He has had disappointing numbers with both bat and ball. He got out on the first-ball duck in both the innings of the Test match and also got one wicket to his name in the second Test.

Ollie Robinson

Ollie Robinson was one of the better bowlers for England in the second Test. He picked two wickets each in both the innings of the second Test. However, with their key fast bowlers missing, he ought to deliver a lot better with the bat.

James Anderson:

In the absence of Broad, Wood, and Archer, England are heavily reliant on James Anderson in the bowling department. Anderson has also bowled well in the two Tests as well. He took a five-for in the first innings of the second Test. He currently has 9 wickets in 2 Tests at an average of 20.11

Saqib Mahmood:

Mark Wood’s shoulder injury should make way for Saqib Mahmood in the third Test. Mahmood has been in great form. He bowled his heart out during the white-ball series against Pakistan and also emerged as their best fast bowler. If he could replicate similar performances in red-ball cricket is yet to be ascertained.

The post India vs England 2021, 3rd Test- England’s Predicted Playing XI appeared first on CricketAddictor.