England vs India: Hardik Pandya declared fit for the third Test

The ongoing Test series against England was meant to be a stern examination for Team India and they haven’t lived up to the expectations yet. The batsmen have put up a shambolic performance in both the matches so far and the hard work of the bowlers hasn’t paid off. There are injury issues in the team as well but things are falling in place for the visitors slowly but steadily. Hardik Pandya has been deemed fit for an all-important third Test match at Trent Bridge.

He was hit on the bowling hand while forging a late 55-run stand in the second innings along with Ravi Ashwin who also copped a couple of blows. The ball was rearing up dangerously after pitching in the good length area. Both of them kept their heads up and fought bravely albeit in a losing cause. But they showed that the pitch wasn’t unplayable and it was a lesson for the top-order batsmen.

According to the reports in Mid Day, Hardik Pandya will feature in the do or die encounter for the tourists which again comes as a good news for them. Earlier, Ashwin and Jasprit Bumrah were also declared fit and a full strength Team India is expected to take the field.

What about Kohli?

However, the Indian captain Virat Kohli is in the race against time as he is recovering from the lower back injury which he sustained at Lord’s. He looked confident after the second Test about getting fit for the next game but also admitted that he won’t be able to play with the same intensity on the field. A half-fit Kohli is also much-needed for the struggling batting unit and there is no doubt about his batting masterclass which he put forth at Edgbaston.

The 29-year-old is currently the highest run-getter of the series with 240 runs to his name in four innings. He will be itching to play a rock-solid knock once again at Trent Bridge to bring his side back into the series.

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