The India vs England series will get into its next chapter when the two teams lock horns at Headingley, Leeds. India come to the third Test with a thumping win and now lead the series 1-0. England, on the other hand, suffered a defeat after being in a strong position in the Lord’s Test. 

Here are five things to watch out for at Headingley:

Also read: 3 ‘Root’ causes of England’s Lord’s defeat vs India

1) Virat Kohli vs James Anderson:

While Indian skipper Virat Kohli would want to get back amongst the runs, having gotten starts in the previous Tests, he would have to counter the lethal James Anderson-swing. The English pacer, 39 years old, dismissed Kohli in the first Test, taking the outside edge just like he did on numerous occasions in 2014. He and Kohli had engaged in a couple of fiery arguments at Lords’s and their battle at Headingly might just define the Test match and eventually the series. 

Also read: Great chance for India to win in England, says Rohit Sharma

2) England’s depleted pace attack:

With no Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes, Jofra Archer, Olly Stone and the latest addition in this list – Mark Wood, England’s pace attack looks dented at the moment. Mark Wood has been ruled out of the third Test with a “jarred right shoulder”. The 31-year-old sustained the injury during the fourth day of the second Test at Lord’s, as he dived in an attempt to save a boundary. Lancashire seamer Saqib Mahmood is expected to make his Test debut at Headingley.

3) Ravichandran Ashwin:

In or out? Every match, India’s most experienced spinner of the current lot doesn’t play, Virat Kohli has to justify the team selection on and off the field. R Ashwin, after taking an innings six-wicket haul in a county match, days before the series, is yet to get a game. Ravindra Jadeja played as India’s only spinner in the two Tests. However, with the tail-enders batting well and Jadeja unable to take a wicket in the four innings, Ravi Ashwin might just get a spot in the playing 11. 

3) Indian pace attack:

After having won India a Test match at Lord’s with both bat and ball, the Indian bowling attack, mainly pacers, will look to give the team an unassailable lead at Headingly. The pacers – Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma and Shardul Thakur – managed to take 20 wickets in both Tests and were also deemed as the best attack India has taken to England. They will surely play a key factor in deciding the Headingley Test and more importantly, the outcome of the series. 

Also read: Jasprit Bumrah a sensation in all formats: Former cricketer Allan Donald

5) Joe Root – the captain and the batsman 

The third Test could be a make or break for Joe Root, more as a captain than a batsman. While he has so far carried his team’s baggage with the bat, kept them in contention by scoring most of the runs, his leadership was questioned at Lord’s. Root took the blame all on himself after the loss. 

“Tactically I don’t think I dealt with that well enough as captain, and off the back of it it put us in a difficult position. It’s just disappointing we didn’t manage to close out that innings how we could have,” he said. 

However, Root is expected to come at Headingley and make a statement by putting up a strong performance. He will play a depleted pace attack, will have to deal with the opening struggles and still continue to score big.