23 February,2021 08:50 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Ashish Nehra during the opening ceremony of Ashish Nehra cricket academy in April 2016. Picture/ AFP
India are all set to take on England in the third Test match which will be a Day/Night Test at the brand new Motera stadium in Ahmedabad. Pacers seem to be the major talking point for this Test match and former India fast bowler Ashish Nehra addresses the same ahead of this match.
Speaking exclusively on Star Sports show Cricket Connected, former Team India pacer Ashish Nehra talked about England's bowling strength saying, "When we talk about pacers, England doesn't have any shortage of pacers; Joe Root will have to charge them on the ground. For example, in the second Test in Chennai, experienced bowler Stuart Broad wasn't seen in his best form, he didn't even play the first Test match. In the second innings, his form was back but he got the ball very late in the game. Jofra Archer is very talented; I believe among all the young talented bowlers we have seen in the past 2-3 years - Jofra Archer is number one. In the form Jofra Archer is in, especially if he's in form and fit - It will benefit the England team. About Jamie Anderson, I don't need to say much about his talent. Joe Root will be in a fix as to which three bowlers he should go ahead with or should he pick two bowlers, he will also have to analyse the pitch. Even if India sees a similar wicket like Chennai, England still has a strong line-up, the way Stuart Broad bowls leg cutters and bowls wicket to wicket; Jofra Archer bowls pace and bounce, Jimmy Anderson has experience with his swing and reverse swing. England has everything in their armoury."
Former Team India opener Gautam Gambhir also shared his views on the upcoming Pink ball Test between India and England and the pitch at the Motera Stadium, "It's a new stadium, a new wicket and the Test match will be played with the pink ball. So, nobody knows how will the ball move, seam or bounce. Plus, it's a new venue for both teams, hence both teams will start on equal terms. If we talk about Chennai, then Team India knew the pitch conditions. But in Motera, neither India nor England can judge the condition of the pitch. Joe Root would've been happy if someone would've told him that they will enter the Pink Ball Test with a 1-1 score. Team India have the arsenal of fast bowling - which could be troublesome for England, and vice versa England also has a fast-bowling attack. It will be interesting to see the kind of wicket the teams get."
