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India vs England 2021- India’s Predicted Playing XI: 4th Test, Oval

India
India

India vs England 2021- India’s Predicted Playing XI: 4th Test, Oval. After losing the second Test by a big margin of 151 runs, England made a roaring comeback in the third Test of the five-match series against India. After winning the toss and batting first, India were bundled for just 78 runs in the first innings, thanks to a brilliant fast-bowling performance from English bowlers.

The new opening pair of Haseeb Hameed and Rory Burns then produced a century partnership for the opening wicket in the second innings to deny India of making a comeback in the game. England went onto score a mammoth 432-run total in their first innings, giving India a lead of 354 runs.

Rohit Sharma (56 off 156) and Cheteshwar Pujara (91 of 189) gave the visitors a steady start in their second innings, before Virat Kohli (55 of 125) and Pujara strengthened the innings further. By the end of the third day, India had only lost two wickets for 215 runs.

India, England
Joe Root and Virat Kohli at the toss. (Image: Twitter)

Come to the first session of the fourth day, India found themselves bundle out for 278. Ollie Robinson took a five-for as India were bowled out inside the first session of the fourth day. England, eventually, lost the game by an innings and 76runs.

After taking the 1-0 lead in the series, India received heavy criticism for losing the winning momentum and giving England a chance to make a comeback in the series. Ahead of the fourth Test, India are expected to make at least a couple of changes in their playing 11. In the latest update, the visitors have also added Prasidh Krishna to their squad for the final two Tests.

In this article, we look at India’s predicted playing 11 for the fourth Test at Kennington Oval Ground

India vs England 2021, 4th Test- India’s Predicted Playing XI

  1. Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma scored a measured 59. (Image Credit: BCCI)

Rohit Sharma has perhaps been the best Indian batsman in the Test series thus far. He has countered the early swing with the new ball to perfection. Rohit scored a well-compiled 59-run knock in India’s second innings in the fourth Test.

Though, he would be disappointed for not turning the half-centuries into big scores. The Indian opener thus far has 2 half-centuries to his name and overall 230 runs in 3 Tests at 42.00.

  1. KL Rahul

KL Rahul
KL Rahul. Credits: Twitter

KL Rahul kick-started the Test series in a scintillating fashion, having scored an 84-run knock in India’s first innings of the first Test. He followed it up with a heart-warming century in the second Test. However, since then, he has had forgettable outings with the bat.

For India to win the fourth Test, KL Rahul’s contribution has to be massive. He is currently the highest run-scorer for India in the series with 252 runs to his name in 3 games at 42.00.

  1. Cheteshwar Pujara

Cheteshwar Pujara
Cheteshwar Pujara. Credits: BCCI

In what could be his last Test innings against England in the third Test, Cheteshwar Pujara played a fine 91-run knock off 189 balls. He played the knock at an astonishing strike rate of close to 50. India would be wanting him to continue his good run ahead of the final two Tests of the series.

  1. Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli. (Photo: Twitter)

Virat Kohli’s underwhelming performance is hurting India at the moment. He is yet to come back to his prime. However, a decent-looking half-century in the last innings of the third Test would have given him some confidence. Virat Kohli has 124 runs to his name in 3 Tests in the series at an average of 24.80.

  1. Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane
Ajinkya Rahane

The vice-captain of the Indian Test team has looked a pale shadow of his former self. He has endured disappointing returns in the series as per his standards. Another poor outing with the bat might well make his way out of the side. So far, he has managed to score 95 runs in 3 Tests at an average of 19.

  1. Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin (Image Credit: Twitter)

Ravichandran Ashwin hasn’t played a single Test in the series thus far with the visitors opting to prefer Jadeja ahead of him owing to his batting prowess. However, keeping in mind that spinners are likely to receive a lot of help at Kennington Oval, Ravichandran Ashwin should make it into the playing 11.

  1. Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant. Credits: Twitter

Rishabh Pant’s underwhelming numbers in the series haven’t helped India’s cause. He has been one of the biggest disappointments for the visitors, having managed only 87 runs in 3 Tests at an average of 17.40. However, it’s unlikely that he would miss out in the fourth Test.

  1. Shardul Thakur

Shardul Thakur
Shardul Thakur (Image Credits: Twitter)

Sharul Thakur has been deemed fit to play the fourth Test. Well, there are a lot more reasons than that for him to play in the fourth Test. Ishant Sharma hasn’t had a great outing in the third Test.

The visitors’ lack of depth in the batting department is also one big concern for them. Add to that, Shardul Thakur is probably the only bowler in the squad who could swing the ball both ways. Thakur picked 4 wickets in the only Test he has played in the series.

  1. M Shami

Mohammed Shami, Indian Pacer Mohammed Shami
Mohammed Shami (Image Credit: Twitter)

There shouldn’t be any complaints as far as M Shami’s performance in the series is concerned. He has been pretty accurate and has managed to give India breakthroughs whenever they needed the most. Shami has 11 wickets to his name in 3 Tests at an average of 27.55.

  1. Mohammed Siraj

Mohammad Siraj
Mohammad Siraj

Siraj picked 8 wickets in the second Test against England and helped the visitors gain a 1-0 lead in the series. However, he failed to replicate a similar performance in the third Test. He could manage to pick only 2 wickets for 86 runs in 23 overs.

  1. Prasidh Krishna/Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah (Image Credit: Twitter)

In the latest update, India has included Prasidh Krishna in the squad for the remaining two Tests in the series. This is perhaps an indication that he is likely to feature in India’s playing 11 for the fourth Test.

The decision might be taken to manage Jasprit Bumrah’s workload and, therefore, Krishna might replace him in the eleven. Prasidh made his international debut in the home series against England in March this year. He has played three ODIs so far for the country.

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