24 February 2021

England make four changes and opt to bat first in day-night Test against India

24 February 2021

England made four changes to their side for the day-night third Test against India, with captain Joe Root opting to give a revamped top three an early chance to impress after choosing to bat first in Ahmedabad.

The tourists dropped Rory Burns and Dan Lawrence to make way for the fit-again Zak Crawley and the returning Jonny Bairstow, with the top-order batsmen involved early at the 110,000-capacity Motera Stadium.

England also went in with just one front-line spinner in Jack Leach, with record wicket-taker James Anderson back to try his luck with the pink SG ball and Jofra Archer back from his elbow injury.

With Moeen Ali back in England, Dom Bess was again overlooked as a second spinner, while Olly Stone stood down after an impressive display last time out.

India brought Jasprit Bumrah and Washington Sundar back into their XI after squaring the series 1-1 in Chennai.

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