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THE FACTS
When is India vs England on and what time does it start? India vs England will take place on Thursday 15th February, 2024 – 04:00 (UK)
Where is India vs England taking place? India vs England will take place at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot
What channel is India vs England on in the UK? India vs England will be televised in the UK live on TNT Sports
Where can I stream India vs England in the UK? TNT Sports subscribers in the UK can stream India vs England live via discovery+.
THE LOWDOWN
INDIA
Despite India being without numerous key players, the hosts rallied admirably in Vizag to beat England by 106 runs and level the series. Of all the notable names missing, Jasprit Bumrah was not one of the them and the right-arm pacer put on an absolute masterclass, showing why he is seen as arguably the best bowler in the world today. Nine wickets across the match, including a 6-wicket-haul in England first innings swung the game decisively in India’s favour. Also crucial to their success was the performance of their two young up and coming batting stars who currently form the backbone of India’s top-order in the absence of Virat Kohli.
Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal compiled a majestic 209, backing up his century in the first Test, whilst Shubman Gill enjoyed a much-needed return to form with 104 in India’s second innings. Shreyas Iyer though, failed again with the bat and has been dropped from the squad heading into this third Test. India have called up Devdutt Padikkal, but are without KL Rahul through injury and of course Kohli, who won’t feature at all in this series. There is good news on the Ravindra Jadeja front though, as the all-rounder looks set to make his return.
ENGLAND
England lost an important toss in the second Test, bowled and fielded in the dirt across Day 1, before never really recovering following a first innings collapse which saw them bowled out for 253, leaving them trailing by 143 runs. In the end, England required 399 runs to win, which would have constituted a record run chase in India. But it wasn’t to be despite seven players scoring 20 runs or more. Opener Zak Crawley top-scored with 73, underlining why their run chase failed as no batter went on to score a big hundred like Jaiswal did for the opposition.
The margin of defeat was 106 runs as the tourists were ultimately bowled out for 292. England are toying with the prospect of fielding two pace bowlers in the third Test, whilst visa issues following the team’s return to India following a rest period in Abu Dhabi renders spin-bowler Rehan Ahmed a doubt. A knee injury rules out fellow spinner Jack Leach not only from this match but for the rest of the series, although England have not as yet called up a replacement.
THE PREDICTION
India looked more like themselves in the second Test, their young top-order batters showing off their skills on a home pitch and cashing in with big runs when needed. Add in a world class difference-maker like Bumrah with the ball and you have a recipe for success. The return of Jadeja should boost India further and all of a sudden, England look depleted on the spin-bowling front without Leach. Although India’s batting line-up doesn’t look as formidable as you’d usually expect without Kohli in particular, Jaiswal and Gill have stepped up admirably and therefore, backing India to win the third Test is the move to make.
TIP: INDIA TO WIN
