India's predicted playing XI for the 3rd Test vs England

After levelling the 4-match series 1-1 with a 317-run win in Chennai, the Indian cricket team faces off against Joe Root's England in the 3rd Test at Ahmedabad.

India have named a largely unchanged squad for the final two Tests, with the only inclusion being Umesh Yadav (subject to his fitness) at the expense of Shardul Thakur.

The 3rd Test will be a Day-Night encounter, and India don't have fond memories of their last outing with the pink ball. They'll take heart from the only D/N game they've played at home, which was a convincing win over Bangladesh at the Eden Gardens.

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India's squad and predicted XI for the 3rd Test vs England

India squad for 3rd and 4th Tests: 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), Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav

It remains to be seen how the pink ball plays in the Motera Stadium, which will be hosting its first international game. The pitch assisted prodigious turn in the final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, but only before dew set in. Also, the pink ball has historically favoured the pacers more.

Here is India's predicted playing XI for the 3rd Test against England.

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Openers: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill has been a touch disppointing this series

After a stellar series Down Under, Shubman Gill has flattered to deceive in this series. He managed scores of 29 and 50 in the 1st Test, and was set to capitalise on these starts in the 2nd. But a difficut pitch to bat on in Chennai saw Gill dismissed LBW in both innings for 0 and 14. The team management has been clear about giving Gill a long rope, and he will look to justify their faith in his first pink-ball Test.

The youngster will be partnered by Rohit Sharma, who scored a stunning daddy hundred in the 2nd Test. Sweeping the spinners with confidence and trusting his defence, the opener scored 187 runs in the match to be one of the key men behind India's victory. Rohit will look to continue in the same vein in the 3rd Test.

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Middle Order: Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk)

Cheteshwar Pujara has been on the receiving end of multiple strokes of misfortune this series

The middle order bears a familiar look. Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane and Rishabh Pant will occupy positions 3-6.

Pujara has been woefully unlucky with the manner of his dismissals this series, and he'll look to make the most of the good form he's in. Captain Kohli scored a masterful fifty in the second innings of the 2nd Test after making a few technical adjustments, and he's primed to score his first international hundred in over a year.

Rahane quitened talks surrounding his place in the team with a calm fifty and a couple of superb catches, but he needs to do more at No. 5. A three-figure knock might be exactly what he needs to assure fans that he should be part of the playing XI at home as well.

Rishabh Pant, whose keeping has markedly improved, will be behind the stumps once again.

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All-rounders: Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel

Ravichandran Ashwin has been the star of this series so far

India won't make too many changes in the all-rounders department. While Ravichandran Ashwin picked up 8 wickets and scored a hundred in the 2nd Test, Axar Patel scalped a 5-wicket haul in the second innings on debut.

Ashwin and Axar make up a lethal tandem that perfectly negates the strengths of the English batsmen, and they'll once again be key to India's chances in the 3rd Test. The latter can be expected to put in an improved showing with the bat at his home ground as well.

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Bowlers: Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

Jasprit Bumrah will be well-rested coming into the 3rd Test

The pink ball will probably prompt India to field a three-pronged pace attack. Mohammed Siraj and Ishant Sharma played the 2nd Test, while Jasprit Bumrah was rested.

The team management has been clear with their plans of rotating pace bowlers to manage their workload, but Siraj and Ishant had hardly any work to do in the last game. As a result, they should be joined by Bumrah to make up a fearsome fast-bowling attack.

Ishant will play his 100th Test for the country, and he'll want to make it a memorable one. Bumrah was impressive in the 1st Test, and he'll look to keep up his good form in only his second Test at home.

This means that Kuldeep Yadav, who bowled only a few overs in the 2nd Test but picked up two wickets, will find himself on the bench again.