On August 25, 2021, Leeds will witness England vs India, the 3rd test of a five-match series on the India Tour of England cricket 2021. In this article, we preview the match and make our England vs India Prediction.
Match Predictions
Last Meeting
The two sides last met in the 2nd test of the series at Lord’s from August 12 to 16. India batted first and ended the first day at 276 for 3. But England fought back on the second day, bowling out the visitors for 364. Rahul top scored for India with 129, while Rohit Sharma made 83. For England, James Anderson was the most successful bowler, taking 5/62.
England managed to reach a healthy position at 341 for 5 after tea before Moeen Ali’s wicket opened the floodgates. England lost their remaining four wickets for only 50 runs to register a slim lead of 27 runs. Joe Root remained unbeaten on 180 while Bairstow was the next highest scorer with 57. For India, M Siraj was the most impressive bowler, taking 4 for 94.
India finished the fourth day on 181/6, leaving the match slightly in the hosts’ favour. Engalnd managed to get two more wickets on the fifth morning, including the important wicket of Rishabh Pant, to leave India in trouble at 209/8. But nobody could have foreseen the brilliant turnaround that Shami and Bumrah engineered with an unbeaten 89-run partnership for the ninth wicket. Kohli declared the innings closed at 298/8 declared leaving England to get 272 for an improbable win in 60 overs.
England began disastrously, losing two wickets with only two runs on the board. Almost on the stroke of tea, they lost Bairstow’s wicket to leave them reeling at 67 for 4. But with Joe Root still at the crease, a draw appeared to be the most likely result. But the loss of Joe Root’s to the third ball after tea changed the equation in India’s favour. Moeen Ali and Buttler took the score to 90 for 5 with 22 overs to go, when a twin strike by Siraj left them gasping at 90 for 7. And just as Robinson and Buttler appeared to be fighting their way to a draw, England lost both the batsmen in quick succession. With just over nine overs to bat out against an inspired Indian bowling attack, the end was nigh. England were bowled out for 120 leaving India victors by 151 runs. Siraj was once again India’s best bowler with four wickets to his name, while Bumrah who had gone wicketless in the first innings took three.
Head-to-Head
India have dominated the last five contests between the sides, with 4 wins, with the 5th ended in a draw.
Match Prediction
In our ENG vs IND Match Prediction, we believe that India will beat England in the third test match at Leeds on 25 August 2021.
Summary
In the first two matches of the series, India have established themselves as the stronger team, with greater depth in batting and bowling alike. England’s batting has been completely reliant on Joe Root, while Anderson has been their only consistently good bowler.