The crucial Test match that commenced on Thursday saw fast bowler Mukesh Kumar being replaced by Mohammed Siraj in India’s XI. Mukesh, who had a lackluster performance in the second Test match, has been released from India’s squad. He only managed to take one wicket and bowled the fewest overs among all the Indian bowlers. Siraj, who was rested for the previous Test, has now returned to the side for the next three matches in this series.
Mukesh has traveled to Kolkata to join the Bengal squad before their Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match against Bihar at the iconic Eden Gardens. The right-arm pacer will rejoin the Indian squad before the fourth Test in Ranchi.
In the meantime, India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, won the toss and chose to bat. The series is currently tied at 1-1, and England’s captain, Ben Stokes, is making his 100th Test appearance.
India has given debuts to middle-order batsman Sarfaraz Khan and young wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jurel. England has also made a change in their lineup, bringing back pacer Mark Wood in place of young spinner Shoaib Bashir.