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

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.