Preview: India vs England – Third Test

First Published : 03 Dec 2012, 19:59
Last Modified : 03 Dec 2012, 20:26

By: Shirin Sadikot

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What

The third Test between India and England in the series of four matches

When

December 5 to 9, 2012

Where

The Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Known as the Mecca of Indian Cricket, this is one of the oldest and most historic stadiums in the country. The Eden Gardens has witnessed some of the most glorious moments of Indian cricket, including the greatest rearguard Test match victory in the history of the game. It was there that VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid batted India to victory against Australia, in 2001, after following on. Eden Gardens is also the first venue after Lord’s to host a World Cup final, in 1987.

The Teams

Touted as firm favourites ahead of the series, India are smarting from the 10-wicket loss in the second Test, in Mumbai. The spin-adept batting line-up was found out by Monty Panesar and even the attack of three spinners couldn’t stop Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen’s onslaught. However, India’s skill and record playing at home are too strong to be overshadowed by one loss. MS Dhoni and men will come back hard in the third Test after a week of rejuvenating and planning.

England should be very proud of the way they have changed the face of this series. The Mumbai Test showed how much the visitors learned and improved from their nine-wicket loss in the first Test, at Ahmedabad. On the Wankhede wicket that offered generous turn and bounce, England defeated India at their own game in their home conditions. With their tail up and a renewed confidence in their batsmen against spin bowling, England can realistically hope to turn the tables on India again.

Key Players

Cheteshwar Pujara has been India’s best batsman in the series. Given his form, he will be expected to score big in the third Test as well. However, the captain and team management will hope that the senior batsmen – Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir – put their hands up as the home team strives to protect their fortress. With another spin-friendly track beckoning them, Dhoni would also want his spinners to perform in their own territory.

While England’s resurgence in the series is the result of a team effort, one man can take the credit for inspiring the rest. Alastair Cook’s resilient knock in the Ahmedabad Test laid the foundation for England’s fightback. In Mumbai, Cook was a calming influence on the team both as captain and with the bat. It was his and Kevin Pietersen’s 22^nd Test centuries that batted England to win before Panesar spun them to a win. The left-arm arm spinner, along with Graeme Swann, will relish bowling on another track that will assist them.

Trivia

If he plays the match, Harbhajan Singh will become only the second off-spinner after Muttiah Muralitharan to complete a century of Test matches.

The Kolkata Test will be 14^th for England this year. Only thrice have England played more Tests in a calendar year – 16 in 1998 and 15 in 1984 and 1986.

Venue Stats

1. Average first innings score at Eden Gardens: 

Overall - 336

Since 2000 – 437

2. Average second innings score at Eden Gardens: 

Overall - 307

Since 2000 – 389

3. Result summary at Eden Gardens:

4. Head-to-head:

5. Last meeting between both sides at Eden Gardens:

Brief scores: 29 January- 2 February 1993

India 371 & 82-2, England 163 & 286. India won by 8 wickets

6. Form guide (most recent listed first):

India: Lost, Won, Won, Won, Lost (3 Wins, 2 Losses)

England: Won, Lost, Lost, Drawn, Lost (1 Win, 3 Losses)

7.  Venue Stats

The Squads

India: MS Dhoni (capt, wk), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, M Vijay, Zaheer Khan, Ashoke Dinda, Ishant Sharma, Harbhajan Singh, R Ashwin, Pragyan Ojha

England: Alastair Cook (capt), Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Jonathan Bairstow, Nick Compton, Matt Prior (wk), Joe Root, Samit Patel, James Anderson, Steven Finn, Stuart Broad, Stuart Meaker, Graham Onions, Graeme Swann, Monty Panesar, Eoin Morgan, Tim Bresnan