IND vs ENG 3rd Test Highlights: Axar Patel shines as India finish Day 1 on top

Jack Leach breaks the 64-run stand between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as hosts end Day 1 on 99/3 and are trailing by 13 runs. 

Axar Patel emerged as the standout player of the day as he finished the day with six wickets, helping hosts bundle out England for 112. Meanwhile, with the bat it was Rohit Sharma as he went on to slam his 12th Test ton. Rohit along with Ajinkya Rahane will kick-off the proceedings on Day 2.  

Jack Leach strikes! 

Jack Leach provides England with a much-needed breakthrough as he breaks the 64-run stand between Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The Indian skipper departs for 27 as he plays a straight delivery from Leach back onto his stumps. IND: 98/3, trail by 14 runs 

Virat Kohli gets lucky on 24 as Ollie Pope drops a sitter while fielding at the gully region. It was a good length delivery by Jimmy Anderson, with the ball hovering just outside the off stump. The Indian skipper fails to control his shot as the ball flies straight to Pope but the England cricketer fails to hold on to it. IND: 91/2, trail by 21 runs 

Rohit Sharma completes 12th half-century in Tests as he flicks the ball through the mid-wicket region. Rohit's heroics is acknowledged by the Indian skipper, who's standing at the other end. The duo have also stitched a 50-run partnership so far as India reach 84/2 and are trailing by 28 runs. 

After losing wickets in quick sucession, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma try to calm things down. The pair have so far added 17 runs as India edge past the 50-run-mark. Meanwhile, the Indian skipper survives a close LBW call against Jack Leach as the visitors go up for the review. However, TV replay confirms that the ball was missing the stumps. IND: 51/2 

Wickets fall in quick succession! 

India lose wickets in quick succession as both Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara depart in consecutive overs. Gill was the first man to depart on 23, while Pujara failed to open his account at his home venue. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli has arrived in the middle and will lead India's innings along with Rohit. IND: 34/2, trail by 78 runs 

The pair of Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma are taking their time, which is good news for the hosts. The pair have maintained a cautious approach and are patiently waiting for the loose delivery to fetch runs. Rohit is batting on 10, while his partner Gill is playing on 4. 

IND: 14/0, trail by 98 runs 

Still wondering why people are admiring the new Motera Stadium, watch the video

The lights are ON & what a spectacle the Narendra Modi Stadium is .@GCAMotera @Paytm #INDvENG #TeamIndia #PinkBallTest pic.twitter.com/4rYT7ujOIh

— BCCI (@BCCI) February 24, 2021

Play resumes after break! 

The players have arrived in the middle after the interval as we expect an intriguing final session ahead in the opening day of the third Test.

IND: 9/0 trail by 103 runs 

Axar Patel dictated the proceedings on the opening day of the ongoing day-night Test between India and England in Ahmedabad as the 27-year-old completed yet another five-wicket haul in his second match. The spinner completed the innings with six scalps and gave away just 38 runs as the visitors were bundled out for a paltry 112.  

Axar's feat on Wednesday also saw him become the second spinner to return with the best figures in day-night Tests. Meanwhile, this also was England's fourth-lowest inning total against India.  

England surrender in front of Axar Patel as the spinner completes yet another fifer in his 2nd Test @akshar2026 scalps from #INDvENG Day 1
 Jonny Bairstow
 Zak Crawley
Ben Stokes
Ben Foakes
Jofra Archer
Stuart Broad https://t.co/3jDzEL47mn

— Zee News English (@ZeeNewsEnglish) February 24, 2021

Dinner! 

After bundling out the visitors for 112, India have reached 5/0 as the second session of the day came to an end. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill will resume the Indian innings after the break. 

Indian opener Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill walk out in the middle to start the Indian innings. Meanhwile, Gill survives a close call as an outside edge coming off his bat flies straight to Ben Stokes standing at the slips, who completes a sharp catch. However, TV replay confirms that Stokes had not collected the ball cleanly. 

Axar Patel demolishes the England batsmen at his home ground as the visitors are bundled out at 112. The bowler completes the innings with six wickets and gives away just 38 runs in 21.4 overs. Among the England batsmen, Zak Crawley emerges as the standout player as he completes his fourth half-century. 

We are all out for 112.

Scorecard: https://t.co/OzHhFjmgXv#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/JCo0f48xjb

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 24, 2021

Axar Patel on cloud nine as he completes yet another five-wicket haul in the longer format of the game. This is Axar's second Test and the 27-year-old already has two fifers under his name. Meanwhile, England lose their ninth man in the form of Stuart Broad. ENG: 105/9 

India's magic man R Ashwin delivers yet again as England lose their eight wicket of the day. Ashwin delivers a much fuller length, forcing the batsman Jack Leach to go for the drive. However, the ball takes an outside edge and Cheteshwar Pujara completes a brilliant low catch at slips. ENG: 98/8 

England bow down in front of Axar!

Axar Patel is enjoying the outing at his home venue as the spinner picks up his fourth wicket of the day. A quicker delivery and Jofra Archer has no answers for that. The England tailender tries to defend but fails to get any connection as the ball knocks the off-stump. ENG: 93/7 

England lose wickets in quick succession!

England lose wickets in quick succession as this time Ben Stokes takes a long walk back to the pavilion on 6. The all-rounder was dismissed by Axar Patel as England are reeling at 81/6. 

Wicket number  for @akshar2026! 

England 6 down as Ben Stokes departs. @Paytm #INDvENG #TeamIndia #PinkBallTest

Follow the match https://t.co/9HjQB6CoHp pic.twitter.com/sDLSSSNLwn

— BCCI (@BCCI) February 24, 2021

R Ashwin continues his impressive run as he cleans up Ollie Pope on 1. It was a carrom ball by the spinner and Pope failed to get any connection. The ball goes past his bat and dismantles the off-stump. India start off on a grand note after the interval. ENG: 81/5   

A good first session for the hosts on the opening day of the third Test as they finish it with four wickets and concede just 81 runs. Local boy Axar Patel was the pick among the bowlers as he has scalped two wickets so far. The remaining two were picked by R Ashwin and Ishant Sharma respectively. 

We lose four wickets in the morning session.

Scorecard: https://t.co/Geq7qjrJXK#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/h3JQ7qknMF

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 24, 2021

Axar Patel continues to impress with his bowling at his home venue as the spinner traps set Zak Crawley LBW on 53. The ball was pitched in line, as Crawley tried to defend it. However, the batsman failed to read the turn as it went and hit his pads. ENG: 80/4 

R Ashwin gets the big fish as the off-spinner traps Joe Root LBW on 17. The batsman was unhappy with the decision, and decided to take a review. However, TV replay shows the ball had no contact with the bat and it was hitting the top of middle and leg stump. England lose their third man. ENG: 74/3 

Zak Crawley reaches 50 in style! 

Zak Crawley leads England's fightback as the opener smashes a short delivery from Axar towards the cover region to complete his half-century. This is his fourth half-century in the longest format of the game. ENG: 67/2  

Zak Crawley and Joe Root lead England's resurgence after early blows. The pair have added 24 runs so far as England edge past the 50-run-mark. Root is batting on 8, while his partner Crawley is on 39. ENG: 51/2   

Can Joe Root lead England's resurgence?

A cracking shot from England skipper Joe Root as he punches a short of a length delivery by Ishant Sharma straight down the ground. The ball runs past the bowler and goes towards the boundary rope. ENG: 39/2 

After the early blow, Jonny Bairstow and Zak Crawley tried to steady things down and stitched 25 runs for the second wicket. However, the introduction of spin does the trick for the hosts as Axar Patel gets the removes Bairstow in his first delivery of the match. The batsman departs for duck as England lose their second man. ENG: 27/2  

Ishant strikes early!

Ishant Sharma provides the host with the first breakthrough as he sends Dom Sibley packing on duck. A good length delivery and the ball takes an outside edge and settles comfortably in Rohit Sharma's hands at second slip. 

ENG: 2/1 

Here we go! 

The English pair of Dominic Sibley and Zak Crawley have arrived in the middle to kick-off the proceedings. Ishant Sharma, who is playing his 100 Test, will start the attack for India. 

India make 2 changes

Jasprit Bumrah replaces Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar replaces Kuldeep Yadav. India have 3 spinners -- R Ashwin, Washington Sundar and Axar Patel

England make 4 changes

James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Zak Crawley and Jofra Archer come into England Playing XI

England win toss

England skipper Joe Root won the toss and decided to BAT first at Narendra Modi Stadium.

Sneak peek of dressing room

England cricket team have already arrived at the Narendra Modi Stadium ahead of the toss at 2pm.

They give a sneak peek at visitors' dressing room.

A behind-the-scenes look at our dressing room area 

Match Centre: https://t.co/BmD8YiIOwg#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/kEwRz8MNOZ

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 24, 2021

Ishant Sharma ready for 100th Test

Indian paceman Ishant Sharma is set to play his 100th Test match.

He will become the second Indian paceman after Kapil Dev to play 100 Tests.

Who else is excited to watch @ImIshant play his 100th Test #TeamIndia #INDvENG @Paytm pic.twitter.com/kgj5PLeBQs

— BCCI (@BCCI) February 24, 2021

Motera stadium renamed Narendra Modi Stadium

The newly renovated Motera stadium has now been renamed Narendra Modi Stadium. It is the BIGGEST cricket stadium in the World.

You can find out about all the features of Narendra Modi Stadium here.

Guess India and England Playing XI for Motera Test

The final playing XI of the Test will announced at the toss which is set to take place at 2pm.

But make your guesses for the Playing XI here. 

BCCI President Sourav Ganguly misses inauguration

BCCI President Sourav Ganguly missed the inauguration of Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad as he is recovering from double angioplasty.

Will miss being at the stadium today ..what an effort it must have been to create this ..pink test was our dream and it's going be the 2nd one in india.hope to see full stands like last time. Under the leadership of Honble Prime minister @narendramodi Amit Shah @AmitShah .. pic.twitter.com/za7vdYHTN0

— Sourav Ganguly (@SGanguly99) February 24, 2021

Live stream the inauguration

You can watch live stream of Motera stadium's inauguration here...

#PresidentKovind inaugurates #MoteraStadium - the world's largest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat#INDvENG #PinkBallTest

Watch LIVE https://t.co/9AT1tOrJci

— PIB India (@PIB_India) February 24, 2021

President inaugurates Motera Stadium

President Ram Nath Kovind has inuagurated the new Motera Stadium which is now the biggest cricket stadium in the world with a capacity of 1.10 lakh. 

The President is accompanied by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Hello and welcome to our coverage of Day/Night Test between India and England -- the third Test of the four match series.