INDIA vs ENGLAND 3rd Test LIVE SCORE:Β The historic pink-ball Test between India and England is underway at the revamped Motera Stadium (now Narendra Modi Stadium) in Ahmedabad. England have won the toss and have opted to bat. India has made two changes, Jasprit Bumrah comes in for Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar comes in for Kuldeep Yadav. On the other hand, Joe Root-led England have made four changes. Anderson, Archer, Bairstow, Crawley back in. Burns, Lawrence, Stone, Moeen Ali out.
Both Virat and Co and Joe Root-led sides are eyeing a victory in the crucial fixture. The result will decide the fate of these two teams in ICC World Test Championship Final qualification. The four-match Test series is currently level 1-1. While the hosts outclassed the opposition to win the second Test by 317 runs, England had registered victory in the opening Test in Chennai.
All the focus now shifts to the Day/Night Test as both sides are unaware about how the pitch will play its part. India, who are hosting their second pink-ball Test, would like to keep their 100% win record in the D/N Test at home. On the other hand, England is yet to register an away pink-ball Test victory. They have lost to Australia and New Zealand on previous occasions.
Earlier today, President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the stadium which was renamed to Narendra Modi Stadium. The stadium is the biggest cricket stadium in the world as it has a total capacity of 1,32,000.Β The stadium is oval in shape and as a result, whenever a match is played on any of the 11 pitches, the boundary size will remain the same on both sides.
India vs England 3rd Test LIVE Score:Β https://www.insidesport.co/sport-matches?field=entity_cricket&id=46852&widget=match_center
INDIA vs ENGLAND 3rd Test LIVE SCORE and COMMENTARY
14.33 PM: IND VS ENG 3RD TEST LIVE UPDATES
England openers Zak Crawley and Dominic Sibley start England innings.
14.28 PM: IND VS ENG 3RD TEST LIVE UPDATES
Ishant Sharma has been presented with a special cap and a memento by the President of India. And now the formal introduction of players by the respective skippers and match referee.
14.09 PM: IND VS ENG 3RD TEST LIVE UPDATES
India Playing XI for 3rd Test: R Sharma, S Gill, C Pujara, V Kohli, A Rahane, R Pant, W Sundar, R Ashwin, A Patel, J Bumrah, I Sharma
3rd Test. India XI: R Sharma, S Gill, C Pujara, V Kohli, A Rahane, R Pant, W Sundar, R Ashwin, A Patel, J Bumrah, I Sharma https://t.co/9HjQB6CoHp #INDvENG @Paytm
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 24, 2021
England Playing XI for 3rd Test: D Sibley, Z Crawley, J Bairstow, J Root, B Stokes, O Pope, B Foakes, J Archer, J Leach, S Broad, J Anderson
3rd Test. England XI: D Sibley, Z Crawley, J Bairstow, J Root, B Stokes, O Pope, B Foakes, J Archer, J Leach, S Broad, J Anderson https://t.co/9HjQB6CoHp #INDvENG @Paytm
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 24, 2021
14.04PM: IND VS ENG 3RD TEST LIVE UPDATES
The final pep talk from Coach Ravi Shastri ahead of the historic Pink Ball Test. Check out
Ready for the hustle π#TeamIndia get into the huddle ahead of the third @Paytm #INDvENG Test! π pic.twitter.com/NMwY2l1KSn
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 24, 2021
14.00PM: IND VS ENG 3RD TEST LIVE UPDATES
TOSS RESULT: Joe Root wins toss and opts to bat first. Virat Kohli and Co will take the field and seek to wrap up the England batting as fast as possible.
Toss Update!
England have won the toss & elected to bat against #TeamIndia in the third @Paytm #INDvENG Test.
Follow the match π https://t.co/mdTZmt9WOu pic.twitter.com/dfXBK8XPCn
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 24, 2021
13:56PM: IND VS ENG 3RD TEST LIVE UPDATES
PITCH REPORT: The pitch looks dry and there are some cracks. The soil has come from Mumbai and is red in colour. The pace will be a little quicker compared to Chennai. The second session will see twilight coming in and might be a tricky session. The spinners might not come into play as much in the final session where there might be some dew.
13:31PM: IND VS ENG 3RD TEST LIVE UPDATES
Team India all set for their second day-night Test at home.
Ready for the hustle π#TeamIndia get into the huddle ahead of the third @Paytm #INDvENG Test! π pic.twitter.com/NMwY2l1KSn
β BCCI (@BCCI) February 24, 2021
12:55PM: IND VS ENG 3RD TEST LIVE UPDATES
Some inside glimpse into Motera Stadium. Team India warming up in the gymnasium.
Absolutly thrilld to b bck whr it all bgan.Wht a mastrpiece the lrgest π in the wrld hs trned out to b.Right frm plying cnditions to an high prformnce training setup.This plce is secnd to none@BCCI @GCAMotera @JayShah @mpparimal @imVkohli @hardikpandya7 @ImIshant @RishabhPant17 pic.twitter.com/cfMx9W4OLd
β Akshar Patel (@akshar2026) February 19, 2021
12.43PM: IND VS ENG 3RD TEST LIVE UPDATES
Ashwin and Axar Patel will once again be at the centre of attraction for India. The duo will play a crucial role, if India still wants to keep itself in the WTC race.
12.26PM: IND VS ENG 3RD TEST LIVE UPDATES
Ishant Sharma all set to play his 100th Test.
Off to Motera. Congrats @ImIshant bhai for your 100th Test match. Phenomenal achievement and a well deserved one. #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/Y6IjLEjJcz
β Akshar Patel (@akshar2026) February 24, 2021
12.12PM: IND VS ENG 3RD TEST LIVE UPDATES
The Motera stadium is all set to host tonight’s historic Pink-Ball Test. Check out the majestic Motera and its state of the art features.
Motera in all readiness π
Just a few hours left for the #PinkBallTest #INDvENG @Paytm
ARE YOU READY πππ» #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/EdyGsLlQws
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 24, 2021
12PM: IND VS ENG 3RD TEST LIVE UPDATES
Virat Kohli spotted throwing his arm in the nets. Will we see the skipper throw a couple of overs in the middle in the historic Pink-Ball test starting today?
Are #TeamIndia keeping their swing and seam options varied for the #DayNightTest? π#Pandya #KingKohli #PinkBall #INDvENG #IndiaTaiyarHai #AmdavadTaiyarChe pic.twitter.com/oN2NsJQPoj
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 24, 2021
11.50PM: Team India’s conundrum to pick Playing XI- Check why?
Virat Kohli and Indian team management will be in a conundrum picking the playing XI. With the 22-yards expected to dry out in the heat, India would be tempted to go for Kuldeep Yadav, who has a boasting record with the pink ball in first-class cricket.
But Umesh Yadav, who is returning to the squad, comes in with his unique skills on skiddy Indian pitches. Jasprit Bumrah was rested from the second Test but it will take a last-minute injury to keep him out of this one.
As for England, Joe Root during the pre-match conference kept his cards close to his chest but five changes can be expected. Dan Lawrence could be benched, with Jonny Bairstow likely to come in at number three. Zak Crawley’s return to fitness could put Rory Burns’ position at risk. There could be a raft of changes in the bowling attack too. James Anderson and Jofra Archer are set to return while Chris Woakes or Dom Bess could play as well, depending on whether England opt to play two spinners.