India are all set to lock horns with England in the much-anticipated third Test at the newly-built Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad from February 24. After thrashing Joe Root-led side in the second match by 317 runs in Chennai, Virat Kohli’s men will be looking to go all out for another significant win in the upcoming pink-ball Test.
Talking about his side’s game plan in the pre-match conference on Tuesday, the India skipper said that the hosts are just focusing on their strengths.
Amid the talks about pitch conditions in Ahmedabad, Kohli has reckoned that a seamer-friendly surface will be a challenge for the visitors as well.
“We are focused on our strengths as a team. There are weaknesses in the opposition as well and we have the bowlers to exploit those weaknesses. If the conditions are going to be seamer-friendly, then it’s going to be a challenge for them too, the 32-year-old said.
Earlier, England all-rounder, Ben Stokes issued a warning to the Indian team, saying that the English pacers Jofra Archer, James Anderson, and Stuart Broad have been “licking their lips” at the prospect of bowling with the pink ball in the next game.
“Broady, Jimmy, and Jofra have been licking their lips. It’s been a completely different game. Whether that’s going to be similar in the middle we’re not sure,” Stokes said on the TalkSPORT radio station.
On a turning track at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Team India dominated the proceedings from the start as Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel ran riot against the visiting team to level the ongoing four-match series.