This article will talk about the probable XIs for both teams and continue with the Dream11 predictions and the winning fantasy team for the 3rd Test between England and India that is scheduled to start on the 25th of August 2021.
After the rain-affected first Test match at Trent Bridge, India managed a historical victory in the second Test game at Lord’s. It will be the third and series moving Test match between the teams on Wednesday at Leeds.
India will be high on confidence as they defeated the home side on the final day of the Lord’s Test match. They will be eyeing to win this Test match at Leeds and increase the lead in this ongoing Test series. The pace attack of the Indian side bowled brilliantly as they managed to get all twenty wickets in the second Test match of the series. KL Rahul scored a magnificent hundred in the first innings along with 83 runs of Rohit Sharma. Ajinkya Rahane also scored a half-century in the second innings and Siraj took 8 wickets in this Test match for India.
On the other hand, the home side faced a huge defeat of 151 runs as they got bowled out for 120 in the fourth inning of the match. Joe Root scored an outstanding 180 in the first inning but other batsmen failed to impress against the quality Indian pace attack. In the bowling department, James Anderson picked five wickets in the first inning and Mark Wood picked 3/51 in the second inning but failed to save the Test match for their side.
Match Details
Venue: Headingley, Leeds
Pitch and Weather: The pitch of Headingley will assist the pace bowlers with both seam and swing. The red ball will move during the whole day as the batsman will face trouble to score big in this match. However, batsmen can leave their marks after setting their eyes on the wicket and put a respectable total on the board. During the last two days of the match, spinners can also get some help from the surface. The average first inning score will be around 240 runs as the captain would like to bat first after winning the toss on this wicket. The temperature will be around 17°C as there are no chances of rain during the complete Test match.
Date & Time: Aug 25 – Aug 29, 3.30 PM IST
Probable Playing XIs
England is in deep trouble as their top order is failed to generate any impact in both Test matches so far in the series. Haseeb Hameed is likely to get another opportunity after he fails in the last game at number three. Hameed can move up in the order along with Rory Burns in this third Test match as Dawid Malan can play at number three. James Anderson will bethe er of the attack in the absence of Stuart Broad following other pacers like Mark Wood and Ollie Robinson. Moeen Ali and Sam Curran will be the two all-rounders in this match for England.
India is looked settled after putting two consecutive match-winning performances against England. The top order is doing well including KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma. Both the openers are top scorers so far for the Indian side. However, the middle order didn’t score much as expected but fifty from Ajinkya Rahane and the 40s of Kohli and Pujara will give some confidence. By looking at several left-handers on the English side, Ravi Ashwin can get this game ahead of Ravindra Jadeja who failed to take many wickets so far in this series. The pace attack is having tremendous rhythm as they will like to continue it in Headingley too.
England
Rory Burns, Haseeb Hameed, Dawid Malan, Joe Root (C), Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (Wk), Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Mark Wood, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson
India
KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (C), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (Wk), Ravindra Jadeja/Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, Ishant Sharma
Match Prediction
India is looked like a more balanced side in the first two Test matches compared to the home side. However, England has all qualities to make comeback in this series but India will start as favorites to win this third Test match at Leeds.
Fantasy Tips
Batsmen: Joe Root has been in good form at the start of the series. The English skipper scored 386 runs in four innings with two centuries and one half-century. KL Rahul also scored an outstanding hundred in the last Test match. Rohit Sharma scored a brilliant 83 and a total of 152 runs in these two matches.
Wicket-Keepers: Rishabh Pant looked in good touch as he got starts in both the innings at Lord’s. He scored 37 and 22 runs in the lower-middle order for India. Jonny Bairstow scored 57 runs in the first inning of the second Test match as he can be picked as second wicket-keeper.
All-rounders: Moeen Ali is the only best option available from the all-rounder section. The off-spin all-rounder scored 27 runs in the first inning and also picked three wickets in the second Test match of the series.
Bowlers: James Anderson picked 5 wickets for 62 runs in the first inning at Lord’s. He is the third-highest wicket-taker with 9 wickets in the ongoing series. Mohammad Siraj picked eight wickets in the last Test match. Mohammad Shami picked 3 wickets and also scored a match-winning half-century for India. Jasprit Bumrah scored 34 runs and picked three wickets with the ball. Ollie Robinson can be picked as the fourth bowling option.
Captaincy Choices
Fantasy Team: KL Rahul(VC), Rohit Sharma, Joe Root(c), Jonny Bairstow, Rishabh Pant, Moeen Ali, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson, Mohammad Siraj, Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah.
Captain – Joe Root
Joe Root is the highest run-scorer in the ongoing series with 386 runs and also played an outstanding knock of 180 runs in the last match. So he can be the best pick to captain in this third Test match at Headingley.
Vice-captain – KL Rahul
KL Rahul is the most promising batsman from the Indian team in this Test series. The opening batsman scored a match-winning century at Lord’s against a quality English bowling attack. So, he can be picked as vice-captain in this match.
Dream11 Team
