England has decided to introduce the pace of Mark Wood for the third Test in Rajkot, replacing off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, who made his debut in Visakhapatnam.
The inclusion of Wood will bring a different balance to England's bowling attack for this series. They will employ a two-pronged pace bowling attack, pairing James Anderson with Wood, while spin responsibilities will be shared by Tom Hartley, Rehan Ahmed, and Joe Root. This strategic change is influenced by the pitch conditions and the history of high scores at this venue in the previous two Tests.
The England XI for the Rajkot Test will feature Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes (wk), Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, Mark Wood, and James Anderson.
On the eve of the game, Ben Stokes commented on the pitch, stating, "I know it was a very long time ago when we played here, but it looks like a good wicket. It's a bit platey. Over the five days, those plates might become a little uneven. There might be some reverse swing which brings Woody into the game and Jimmy as well."
Stokes emphasized that every decision they make is aimed at selecting the XI that gives them the best chance. Considering the pitch conditions and insights from the last Test at this venue, the team believes that bringing in another seamer, Wood, will enhance their chances.
Wood played in the series opener in Hyderabad but remained wicketless in both innings. He was replaced by James Anderson in Visakhapatnam, where the veteran produced instant impact. Stokes believes that Wood's pace can be effective in challenging phases of play.
The decision to choose leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed over finger spinner Shoaib Bashir was based on Ahmed's performance in the first two Tests, including his contributions with the bat. Stokes expressed confidence in Ahmed and praised his composure in handling off-field challenges, indicating that there were no doubts about playing him in the XI.
In summary, England has made strategic changes in their bowling attack for the Rajkot Test, introducing Mark Wood for added pace, and opting for a leg-spinner based on recent performance and composure under pressure.