With the scoreline levelled at 1-1, England and India will go head to head in the fourth Test of the five-match series at Kennington Oval from Thursday.
The first Test of the series ended in a frustrating rain-affected draw, after which India pulled off an unbelievable victory in the second Test at Lord’s by 151 runs to draw the first blood. The hosts England made a remarkable turnaround in the third Test at Headingley to crush India by an innings and 76 runs to level the series.
The Indian team has been the best touring side in the world and a defeat doesn’t change that fact. However, they do have a few issues to tackle. Their batting performance was abysmal at Headingley, and they would like to correct that. There are question marks over Ajinkya Rahane’s place and whether they should add an extra batter. The all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja had a visit to a hospital, leaving his participation in doubt. Ravichandran Ashwin could also get a chance for the first time in the series.
The Joe Root-led England team overcame various issues to put on an absolute clinic in the last game. They will have a couple of squad changes in the next game. Jos Buttler will be unavailable due to the arrival of his child, leaving Jonny Bairstow with the wicket-keeping responsibility while Ollie Pope could get an opportunity. Chris Woakes has returned to full fitness and is likely to replace Sam Curran.
Thrilling action awaits at the Oval as both the teams look to go 2-1 up in the series.
Key players
England’s greatest ever batter Root has been sensational this year. The right-hand batter has overcome his struggles against pace bowling with some technical changes and is reaping the rewards. He has amassed 1398 runs this year at a sublime average of 69.90 and has scored 507 of those in this series alone, where the next best has scored less than half runs, at an average of 126.75. The England skipper has carried the batting unit with three hundreds in three matches so far and will be their most valuable player.
Robinson has been one of the best and most relentless pacers in County cricket when it comes to consistency. Robinson has taken to international Tests like a duck to water. The tall right-arm pacer has been outstanding for England in this series, picking 16 wickets at an average of 19.06 and is the top wicket-taker of the series. Robinson was awarded the Player of the match at Headingley for his career-best 7/81, including the match-winning five-wicket haul in the second innings.
To the surprise of many, Rohit Sharma has been India’s best batter throughout their England tour. For long mocked as a failure in overseas Tests, Rohit has shut the critics with his bat, showing immense control at the top of the order. He has consistently batted out 100+ balls in the most difficult batting role that is opening, giving the team a much-needed platform. He has scored 230 runs this series at an average of 46, including two fifties. Rohit has 2909 runs in Test cricket, averaging 46.17 with seven hundreds.
Jasprit Bumrah, India’s all-format superstar, has been one of their biggest weapons on the field. The 27-year-old right-arm pacer has had an incredible career so far in Test cricket, picking 97 wickets in 23 matches at a terrific average of 22.76, including six five-wicket hauls. After a year of bad form, largely due to the return from injury, Bumrah has regained his touch. He has taken 14 scalps in this series at an average of 20.07. The pacer has a huge role to play in the remaining matches.
Prediction
The rivalry between England and India has been extremely fierce in the last couple of decades. In the last 10 matches, India have won five times while England have won four. And although England lead the scoreline by 49-30 overall, it doesn’t count for much.
India has been fantastic overall in the last nine months. They have solid openers who can grind in, and the middle order has returned back to form. The lack of runs from the lower middle order could be a worry. The bowling attack is potent and should be fine even with a couple of changes.
England, on the other hand, have had their moments and about time they capitalised. The batting unit, while still vulnerable, has found some form. The bowling looks good and only gets better with the inclusion of Woakes.
Expect a hard-fought contest, and for the first time in the series, both the teams look equally capable of winning.
