ENG v IND, 4th Test Probable Playing XI: Big Changes In Both Teams

Cricket Image for ENG v IND, 4th Test Probable Playing XI: Big Changes In Both Teams (Image Source: AFP)

India will face England in the 4th test match starting on 2nd September at Kennington Oval. England defeated India in the 3rd test by an innings & 76 runs. The series is currently level at 1-1 with two matches to go. 

England's top order finally arrived in the series in the last match. All the top four batters hit half-centuries, and Joe Root got to his third hundred of the series. With Jos Buttler not available, there is a good chance England will bring in Ollie Pope in the middle order, and Jonny Bairstow will be donning the gloves. 

The bowlers have been fantastic throughout the series so far. James Anderson is at his usual best, while Ollie Robinson is the find of England's summer. With Sam Curran giving some ordinary returns in the series, the management might play Chris Woakes, who is a brilliant swing bowler and a handy batter. 

India's batting faltered in the last match. Although Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Virat Kohli did spend some time in the middle, the rest of the batters were not up to the mark. Ajinkya Rahane's form is a concern that brings Hanuma Vihari into the picture replacing him. 

The Oval has assisted a little bit of spin in the last decade. Spinners average 35.06 and have a strike rate of nearly 64. An off-break bowler has an average of close to 35. There is a good chance that India might finally play R Ashwin since the conditions might suit him, and England does have at least four left-handers in the lineup.

Although, it will be a hard call to play two spinners. There is a good chance Ravindra Jadeja might sit out in this match. Ishant Sharma could get replaced by either Shardul Thakur or Umesh Yadav in this test. 

England Probable XI - Haseeb Hameed, Rory Burns, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ollie Pope, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes/ Sam Curran, Craig Overton, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson

India Probable XI - Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane/Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja/ R Ashwin, Ishant Sharma/Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah