India vs England 3rd Test Preview- Milestones, Debuts, and Thrills Await in Rajkot

What to Expect:

• Milestones: Ben Stokes set to play his 100th Test; R Ashwin eyes his 500th Test wicket; James Anderson closing in on 700 Test wickets.
• Form Guide: India’s recent form: WLWLD; England’s recent form: LWWDW.
• Debutants: India is likely to include two debutants in the absence of Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul.
• Team Changes: Ravindra Jadeja’s return strengthens India’s middle order; England makes one change with Mark Wood coming in for Shoaib Bashir.

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Milestones:

In the upcoming India vs England Test in Rajkot, several players are on the cusp of achieving significant milestones:

• England’s charismatic captain, Ben Stokes, is poised to mark a historic moment, playing his 100th Test match.
• On the Indian side, the seasoned spinner R Ashwin is inching closer to a remarkable feat, eyeing his 500th Test wicket.
• The veteran English pacer, James Anderson, stands just five wickets away from reaching the milestone of 700 Test wickets. Beyond that, the legendary Shane Warne’s tally of 708 wickets is within sight.

Form Guide:

Recent form indicates a competitive clash between the two sides:

• India’s Form: WLWLD (last five Tests, most recent first).
• England’s Form: LWWDW (last five Tests).

Team News:

India faces challenges in the absence of key players, leading to a potential inclusion of two debutants in the XI. With Virat Kohli unavailable, Shreyas Iyer omitted, and KL Rahul sidelined due to injury, India’s middle order requires reinforcement. The return of all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is expected to bring stability, given his impressive record at his home ground in Rajkot.

On the England front, the team has already announced its XI, making just one change. Mark Wood replaces Shoaib Bashir in the lineup. For more details on England’s Playing XI for the third Test, check this link.

Pitch and Conditions:

• The pitch in Rajkot is expected to be batsman-friendly, hinting at a high-scoring affair.
• Cool-weather conditions prevail, with temperatures ranging from the early 20s°C in the mornings to the low 30s°C in the afternoons.