Hello Cricket Lovers,
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Well the test series between hosts, England and India is poised for great finish with 2 teams not giving an inch so far as they go into the Fourth test with 1-1 scoreline.
Both teams will be having the memories of the drawn First test due to rain, where, both teams had chance of winning the test had they got another 2 or 3 sessions they lost although India were having an upper hand going into day 5.
Coming back to Fourth test which will be played between these 2 teams at The Oval, England will be a bit more confident unit having won the last test at Leeds.
Let's see the possible changes and team composition for both the sides.
India:
India, having lost the Leeds test and also as the injury concern for Ravindra Jadeja, may make couple of changes to also give a fresh look o their bowling and bring in more batting as well.
R Ashwin in playing XI?
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Having Ravindra Jadeja injured is a blessing in disguise for team India as he was less effective in the fast bowling friendly pitches the matches have been played so far and that brightens the chances of India's best spinner to get back into playing XI.
Ashwin can be more than handy batsman like Jadeja, but, R Ashwin's bowling is expected to be better than Jadeja's and considering there will be more assistance to spin bowling at The Oval, India may even leave out a fast bowler to play Hanuma Vihari who is a technically sound batsman and can roll out his arms for few useful spin bowling overs.
Whom Hahuma Vihari may replace?
Most probably, Ishant Sharma may have to give his place to Vihari having been bit ineffective so far in the 2 matches he played.
So, the possible Playing XI might be:
- Rohit Sharma
- KL Rahul
- Chetheshwara Pujara
- Virat Kohli
- Ajinkya Rahane
- Rishabh Pant
- Hanuma Vihari
- R Ashwin
- Mohammed Shami
- Jasprit Bumrah and
- Mohammed Siraj.
Well, there might also be a possibility of bringing back Mayank Agarwal as an opener and play KL Rahul in the middle order and in that case, Hanuma Vihari may not get the place in playing XI.
England:
England may not make changes to the playing XI having won the last test.
Yet, they might also be tempted to bring in additional spinner, but, Joe Root himself can bowl some spin along with Moeen Ali.
Chris Woakes in place of Sam Curran?
The misfiring Sam Curran may find it difficult to retain his place as the fit Chris Woakes is back into the side.
England will also have to have a replacement for Jos Buttler, who has taken break to be with his family for the arrival of his Second child.
So,it's being said that, Ollie Pope might be a ideal replacement for Buttler with Jonny Bairstow get to don the wicket keeping after almost 2 year's gap.
So, the Playing XI for England may read like this:
- Rory Burns
- Haseeb Hameed
- Dawid Malan
- Joe Root
- Ollie Pope
- Jonny Bairstow
- Moen Ali
- Chris Woakes
- Craig Overton
- Ollie Robinson and
- James Anderson.
The Oval will be the ground with lot of runs expected and also assistance for spin bowlers at later stage of the match and that gives another chance to team India to bounce back and prove that, the 78 run First innings at Leeds is just a bad patch and won't be repeated again.
On the other hand, England, having drafted Chris Woakes in, are even more balanced as their batting goes deep and may be even more formidable unit.
Thanks again for one more time as for as the support from you guys.
Thanks and nice day ahead :)