Having won the second test by 246 runs, India are handsomely placed in the series with a 1-0 advantage. After an inspired batting display by the Indian captain Virat Kohli, Team India stuck together and thanks to a cumulative team-effort earning a deserved win at Vizag. With first blood drawn by the hosts, the India vs England Test series now moves to Mohali for the third of five Tests.

Mohali: India’s happy hunting ground

Mohali awaits another classic contest beginning November 26. A ‘happy hunting ground’ for India, Mohali, has seen India win five Tests and draw five out of the 11 played. Some of India’s best Test victories have come at Mohali. The most recent and perhaps one of the most memorable one of them came when VVS Laxman and Pragyan Ojha saw India through to a 1-wicket victory over Australia in 2010. 

Pitch and conditions

The IS Bindra Stadium at Mohali has one of the best infrastructures among all the top stadiums in the country. Historically, Mohali has been the fastest wicket in India to play at where the ball has a nice bounce and carry. So, even bounce, good carry and conditions suitable for fast bowling are expected and England will fancy their chances in the third Test match. Having said that, conditions for batting will also be favorable. Batsmen from both teams will like the ball coming on to the bat and hitting through the line.

England bowlers, especially James Anderson will like to extract the best of the conditions. The threat looming over Stuart Broad’s inclusion for the next Test match, might be a huge blow for England, as he could turn out really handy on the Mohali pitch. He is a hit-the-deck kind of a bowler and his absence therefore would be felt surely. England’s spin bowling pair of Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid might also have something for them in the track. More so, towards the concluding days of the Test.

Mohali has pace and swing to offer for the pacers, and by the looks of it India is going to retain their five bowler policy. Which happens to be working miracles for the team. 

Team News: India vs England

Defeat in the previous Test has forced England to look for a couple of changes as they get ready for the third Test. Jos Buttler is expected to replace Ben Duckett for the upcoming match. Stuart Broad who was seen limping in the previous Test might be rested and could be replaced by Steven Finn or Jake Ball. Ansari’s almost nil-effect in the second Test does not help his cause for selection either.

The Indian camp is set to welcome Parthiv Patel back to the Indian team after eight years. The news is trending on social media and making the rounds on different news channels and sports websites. He will replace Wriddhiman Saha who is out of reckoning for the third Test after developing a strain in his left thigh during the second Test.

Patel meanwhile, on his return to the Indian team said “I wasn’t expecting (Wriddhiman) Saha to get injured. It is really unfortunate, but that is how it is,” as quoted by Cricbuzz.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been brought into the team. He might as well get a chance to play. On the other hand, Gautam Gambhir too has resumed to playing in the Ranji Trophy matches, as both openers Murali Vijay and KL Rahul are sure to retain their places in the side.

Mohali will offer something for both the batsmen and the bowlers in an even contest for both teams. Crowd support will be vital in egging India towards another good performance and England will have to play out of their skins putting the memory of the loss behind to come back into the contest.

Image Courtesy: Firstpost