Published 11:28 IST, February 24th 2021
'Will miss being at Motera': BCCI chief Sourav Ganguly emotional before India-England test
BCCI President Sourav Ganguly hoped to see the stands at the Motera stadium full soon ahead of India's third Test against England on Wednesday
BCCI President Sourav Ganguly hoped to see the stands at the Motera stadium full soon ahead of India's third Test against England on Wednesday. The former Indian cricketer, who recently underwent angioplasty, will not be attending the match in person at the Motera and took to Twitter to reveal that he was missing out on the experience. BCCI President Sourav Ganguly noted that the third Test between India and England was the second pink-ball Test to be hosted in India and called it a 'dream'. He further hailed the efforts taken to create the gigantic Motera stadium.
Crowd allowed at Motera
The third Test of the series is set to be held at the grand Motera stadium, which will host its first international match after the renovation. The stadium will be inaugurated by President Ram Nath Kovind and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday ahead of the game. The BCCI has allowed 100% of the stadium to be filled by fans of the day/night Test. BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has confirmed that the tickets of the 3rd Test at the Motera have been completely sold out already. The fourth and final Test will also be held at the Motera stadium itself owing to the COVID-19 restrictions. Moreover, the entire 5-match T20 series will also be held in Ahmedabad.
Addressing a press conference ahead of the third Test, skipper Kohli said, "Crowd plays a massive role. The crowd really gets behind us, the difference of which we saw in the second Test. You know the Opposition does feel the pressure. When you go to play in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, anywhere; I have experienced that as a batsman when you are walking into the field and 30,000 fans are booing you or clapping when the bowler is running in to bowl. It does play on your head."
If India win the ongoing series by at least a margin of 2-1, then the side would qualify for the finals of the ICC World Test Championship. If the Virat Kohli-led side does succeed in getting the job done, then they would earn the right to face New Zealand in the ICC World Test Championship final that will be contested from June 18-22 at the 'Mecca of Cricket' Lord's. As of now, Kohli & Co. occupy the second spot in the ICC World Test Championship points table.
Squads for last two Tests
India: Virat Kohli (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper), R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Md. Siraj, Umesh Yadav
England: Joe Root (C), James Anderson, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Dominic Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Dom Sibley, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.
Updated 11:29 IST, February 24th 2021