India and England are poised to square off against each other in the highly anticipated third Test of their five-match series, set to commence at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot from February 15. The upcoming match holds significant importance for both teams, as the series currently stands at a deadlock (1-1).
As far as the first two games are concerned, it was the English side that emerged victorious in the opening encounter, with Ollie Pope and Tom Hartley showcasing outstanding performances. However, India mounted a strong comeback in the second match, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jasprit Bumrah leading the charge. Now, with each team securing a win, the stage is set for an exhilarating battle to determine which side will gain the upper hand in the series.
Test Stats and Records at Saurashtra Cricket Stadium:
- Total matches: 2
- Matches won batting first: 1
- Average 1st inns scores: 593
- Average 2nd inns scores: 334
- Average 3rd inns scores: 228
- Average 4th inns scores: 172
- Highest total recorded: 649/9 (149.5 Overs) by India vs West Indies
- Lowest total recorded: 181/10 (48 Overs) by West Indies vs India
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Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium Pitch Report:
The playing surface at Rajkot’s Saurashtra Cricket Stadium is often regarded as a batting paradise, offering favourable conditions for batters to showcase their skills. Bowlers, on the other hand, find it challenging to make an impact on this track. As the match unfolds, the pitch undergoes a noticeable deterioration, gradually transforming into a sluggish surface that tends to favour spinners.
The strategic importance of winning the toss becomes evident at this venue, as the team with that advantage would prefer to bat first. The initial days of the match provide an excellent opportunity for batters to capitalize on the more conducive batting conditions. This preference aligns with the historical data, as reflected in the average first innings score of 593.
Rajkot Weather forecast
The Rajkot weather forecast anticipates clear and sunny skies for the first two days, devoid of any expected rainfall. Following this, the subsequent three days are projected to be predominantly cloudy. During this five-day period, temperatures are forecasted to range between 32 and 36 degrees Celsius.
India vs England, 2nd Test: Probable Playing XIs
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, KS Bharat, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah
England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes (wk), Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, Mark Wood, James Anderson
