Internet Desk: A confident Indian team led by Virat Kohli will look to extend its lead over England in the third test starting at the PCA Stadium in Mohali from Saturday. India will be bubbling in confidence following their comprehensive 246 runs win in the second test at Vizag.
India will be forced to make a change as wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha will be replaced by Parthiv Patel. Saha strained his thigh muscle during the second test match and is now in NCA for rehab. The Gujarat captain will be making a comeback in the Indian team after a gap of 8 years.
Last time when Parthiv played a Test, current coach Anil Kumble was the captain while Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, VVS Laxman, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly were very much a part of the side. India were at the receiving end of the then newly introduced technology known as Decision Review System.
The PCA Stadium track, once a paradise for speedsters which later became a bowlers’ graveyard only to undergo another transformation into a rank turner, will be the cynosure of all eyes.
A rank turner may not be on offer but the 22-yard strip that is devoid of any grass will surely help the tweakers as the game progresses. One can brace for at least another four-day show if not full five days.
As far as Kohli is concerned, the backdrop could not have been more interesting and the wild allegations of ball tampering levelled by a section of British media could surely act as a catalyst for him to do a Faf du Plessis. A du Plessis-like century will be a befitting reply to all the conspiracy theories that have been floated.
In sublime form with 337 runs under his belt, the Indian captain, on his day, can make life really difficult for the English bowlers, who are certainly feeling the effect of his blazing blade.
While Jimmy Anderson did make an impressive comeback, the absence of Stuart Broad will definitely affect England as the lanky fast bowler performed superbly despite injury during the Visakhapatnam Test match.
Add to it Zafar Ansari’s sore back has also increased England captain Alastair Cook’s worries. Ben Duckett, after a wretched run, may have to sit out making way for an impact player like Jos Buttler.
In this situation, there is every possibility that Kohli could make mincemeat of the England attack as seamer Chris Woakes and Ansari’s possible replacement, off-spinner Gareth Batty, might not have the wherewithal to stop the Indian ace.
Cheteshwar Pujara (262 runs in 2 Tests), who has shown a lot of positive intent with back-to-back centuries, will like to consolidate his position in the side with another impressive effort.