England Playing XI for IND vs ENG Rajkot Test Announced. Check Details

England has made a crucial change to their playing XI for IND vs ENG third Test in Rajkot, signaling a shift in their bowling strategy. The 34-year-old speedster Mark Wood is set to return to the lineup, replacing off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, who made his debut in the previous Test in Visakhapatnam.

England Playing XI for IND vs ENG Rajkot

1. Zak Crawley
2. Ben Duckett
3. Ollie Pope
4. Joe Root
5. Jonny Bairstow
6. Ben Stokes (C)
7. Ben Foakes
8. Rehan Ahmed
9. Tom Hartley
10. Mark Wood
11. James Anderson

Wood’s inclusion brings a different dynamic to England’s bowling attack, as they opt for a two-pronged pace bowling strategy. Partnering with veteran James Anderson, Wood adds raw pace and aggression to England’s arsenal, aiming to trouble the Indian batters on what is anticipated to be a challenging pitch in Rajkot.

Speaking about the Rajkot pitch conditions, England’s Ollie Pope hinted at the likelihood of a pitch favoring seam bowling, with a bit more grass cover compared to previous matches. This assessment has influenced England’s decision to opt for an additional seamer in Wood, complementing the spin duo of Tom Hartley and Rehan Ahmed, along with skipper Joe Root.

Wood, who featured in the series opener in Hyderabad, will be eager to make an impact after a wicketless outing, while Anderson’s return in the previous Test demonstrated the value of seam movement on helpful surfaces. With the pitch expected to offer assistance to the seamers, England will look to exploit Wood’s pace to make breakthroughs during crucial phases of the match.

The revised England XI for the Rajkot Test comprises Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes (wk), Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, Mark Wood, and James Anderson. This lineup underscores England’s intent to adapt to the conditions and pose a formidable challenge to the Indian team as they aim to seize the advantage in the series.

As anticipation builds ahead of the third Test, England’s strategic adjustment sets the stage for an intriguing battle between bat and ball, promising cricketing action that is sure to captivate fans worldwide.