ENG vs IND: India’s probable playing XI for the 4th Test

Indian Cricket Team

Team India will head into the fourth Test match at the Kennington Oval in London after facing a brutal defeat at the hands of England in the Leeds Test. India had a rollicking start to their campaign in the five-match Test series as they won the Lord’s Test after the rain enforced a draw in the first game.

However, playing the third Test match in Leeds, the Virat Kohli-led side failed to capitalize on the momentum. The team especially the batting unit suffered an annihilation and registered a defeat by an innings and 76 runs. It will be a herculean task for India to pick themselves after an embarrassing loss.

The visitors need to regroup themselves at the earliest if they wish to create history by winning the Test series. Coming into the fourth Test match, India is expected to make a couple of changes in their playing XI. Though the batters put up a disastrous show in Leeds, the team management is unlikely to replace or drop any player.

Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul will be walking in the middle to open the innings for team India. One of the biggest problems for the visitors has been the disappointing performance by their middle-order including the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, and Rishabh Pant. Despite the below-average performance, India is expected to back their middle-order throughout the England series.

Ishant Sharma likely to be dropped from India’s playing XI

Meanwhile, it is the bowling unit that can see some major changes. Ravi Ashwin can play his first match of the Test series at the Kennington Oval. India is unlikely to go with the combination of three pacers and two spinners. Thus, Ashwin is likely to replace Ravindra Jadeja in the playing XI.

India’s pace unit will comprise Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj. The Virat Kohli-led side can consider dropping Ishant Sharma to bring back Shardul Thakur. Ishant delivered one of the worst performances of his Test career as he looked unfit and completely worn out in the third Test.

Thus, the team can consider resting the senior pacer to make way for all-rounder Shardul Thakur. The seam all-rounder delivered a decent performance in the first Test as he returned with two wickets each across both innings.

India’s probable playing XI: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravi Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

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