India vs England 3rd Test: 5 things to look forward to ahead of crucial Day four

The pitch on Day three was not as lively as it was earlier. But, it is expected to assist Ashwin later on Tuesday. Ashwin, however, has been struggling with a hip injury. During England’s first innings, after bowling one over Ashwin was seen walking off the field and was replaced by Shardul Thakur. Ashwin was seen having a chat with Ravi Shastri in the dressing room before he was accompanied by physio he physio Patrick Farhart towards the nets.

Although Ashwin returned to the field approximately ten minutes later, Kohli did not give him any more overs. It was English spinner Adil Rashid who was their highest wicket-taker with three scalps during India’s final innings and India will certainly want to make use of their ace spinner when the conditions will be favourable to him. PC: AFP

Irrespective of the sides, slip catching has been one of the poorer specifics of the ongoing Test series between India and England. According to statistical reports, the Indian players have dropped more catches than they have caught at slips since 2014.

After Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane together dropped around three catches in the opening Test at Edgbaston, fielding ace and South African legend Jhonty Rhodes mentioned about the error in the players’ technique as a fielder.

He said, because of the low bounce in Indian pitches, whether you are fielding at slips of covers, the catches usually come between the knees. However, in countries like Australia, South Africa and England the bouncy pitches, the players are accustomed to catching the ball with the reverse cup fingers. Although a player cannot learn that overnight after two Tests and the third Test has almost done, Indians are expected to be comfortable in that aspect as well. PC: AFP

Pandya clinched his maiden five-for in Tests on Day two of the ongoing Trent Bridge Test between India and England. He was already under the firing for not been able to prove either as a pacer or a batsman. West Indian great Michael Holding slammed Pandya by saying the latter was yet not ready for being an international all-rounder.

But, Pandya found his rhythm when the likes of Shami and Bumrah were wasting the favourable conditions. They failed to use the seam nor did they strike the correct line and lengths. Going into the fourth day on Tuesday, Kohli will want Pandya to produce that effort again with the ball, helping the other pacers in the team. PC: PTI

Meanwhile, England, who are 498 runs away with two full days remaining in the Trent Bridge Test, will be desperate for their best batsmen in business – Alastair Cook and Joe Root to step up with the bat. Cook in the first innings looked good before he became Ishant Sharma’s victim leaving England at 54 for 1. He remained their second highest run-scorer after Buttler’s 39 as England never recovered post-Cook’s dismissal.

On the other hand, after scoring a brilliant 80 in the first innings of the first Test, Root has been struggling. In the first two games, Root’s shaken form did not hurt the hosts but on Tuesday, the hosts will want their skipper to lead from the front like Kohli has been doing for India. PC: AFP

Bairstow has been the in-form batsman for England this series. He stands second, to Kohli, with 206 runs from three innings. But, England suffered a major blow when the wicketkeeper-batsman was struck on the finger when attempting to take a delivery from James Anderson. Later on, a scan showed a minor fracture.

Although Buttler kept wickets for the rest of India’s batting, Bairstow is expected to bat in the final innings. With a minor fracture, Bairstow certainly will not be at his best and this could make a difference with almost all the regular batters in the team not been able to deliver to their potential. PC: Reuters