England win the toss and bat first in day-night third Test with India

England won the toss and will bat first in Ahmedabad after making four changes to their side for the day-night third Test against India.

Joe Root made changes at the top of the batting order and in his bowling attack with the series tantalisingly poised at 1-1.

Record-wicket taker James Anderson returns to resume his long-standing partnership with Stuart Broad, with the pair hoping to see the pink ball swinging at the enormous 132,000-capacity Motera Stadium.

The pink ball third Test between India and England is underway in Ahmedabad 

Jofra Archer completed England’s pace trio as he reclaims his place following an elbow injury. Moeen Ali, who has left the tour and returned to England, and Olly Stone drop out of the attack.

There were to alterations to the top three of a batting line-up that will hope to take full advantage of favourable conditions to post a large first innings score after Root won the toss.

Zak Crawley and Jonny Bairstow come back in at two and three respectively, replacing Rory Burns and Dan Lawrence.

The Test is being played at the 110,000-capacity Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad 

India made two changes from their second Test victory with Jasprit Bumrah and Washington Sundar replacing Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammad Siraj.

The side that has batted first has emerged victorious in the first two Tests of the four-match series in Chennai, so England will hope that trend continues.

But what is only the second day-night Test match to take place in India throw up plenty of unknown factors.

The presence of a 60,000-strong crowd – the stadium will only be half-full because of Covid-19 restrictions – plus the vagaries of the pink ball, floodlights slowly taking a greater effect and a pitch more conducive to seam make for an intriguing occasion.