The third test of the four-match series between India and England will begin this afternoon at Sardar Patel Cricket Stadium, Motera in Ahmedabad. The four-match Test series between India and England is currently levelled at 1-1 after India won the 2nd Test at the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai by 317 runs. It was Kohli’s 21st win in a Test match at home as captain – and he equalled MS Dhoni’s record of India captain with most Test wins at home.
If Captain Virat Kohli gets a ton in the pink-ball Test, he would be crossing Ponting in the list of captains with most international hundreds. It would be Kohli’s 42nd international ton as captain, the highest by any player in the world. It would be Kohli’s 28th Test hundred. Currently, both Ponting and Kohli are tied at the top position in the list with 41 centuries to their name.
And this is also the 100th test for 32 year old pacer Ishant Sharma. Only ten pacers have played 100 tests in their career. That includes all time greats like – Ian Botham, Kapil Dev, Courtney Walsh, , Shaun Pollock, Glenn McGrath, Chaminda Vaas, and James Anderson.
India’s chances of earning a World Test Championship final spot depends upon the outcome of the remaining tests and hence India is fielding their strongest bowling attack of the series so far. After a break of one Test, Jasprit Bumrah is back in the squad and will lead the pace attack alongside Ishant Sharma, with R Ashwin and Axar Patel manning the spin department.
For England, Jonny Bairstow’s availability will somewhat reduce the burden on Joe Root, while a returning James Anderson will boost their attack further. Coincidentally, the last Test Motera hosted was also between India and England, in 2012. In that game, Cheteshwar Pujara struck 206 not out and 41 not out as India beat England by nine wickets.