After a dominating performance from England at Headingley, the caravan shifts to the Kennington Oval which will host the fourth Test between India and England, starting September 2 (Thursday). The five-match series is currently tied at 1-1 after the host pulled off a thrilling win after Lord’s debacle.
India have a lot to ponder about in terms of team selection. The form of Ajinkya Rahane and injury to Ravindra Jadeja will be the two biggest causes of concern going into the fourth Test. With Hanuma Vihari waiting in the wings, and Ravichandran Ashwin capable with the bat, it remains to be seen if India ring in the changes.
Hello and welcome to The Oval. Our venue for the 4th Test against England.
It's been a damp morning so far.#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/LmeFqxjGkw
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 31, 2021
Meanwhile, the visitors have added pacer Prasidh Krishna to the squad and it remains to be seen whether they drop one of their incumbent fast bowlers to manage the workload.
England, on the other hand, have been ruthless at Headingley and will be oozing with confidence going into this Test match. The return of Chris Woakes into the squad will give the already-packed pace bowling line-up a huge boost ahead of the fourth Test. Having last played a Test match in August 2020, Woakes is expected to be drafted straight into the playing XI in place of Sam Curran, who has had a below-par series by the standards he set the last time India toured England.
England vs India – 4th Test – Match Details
When: Thursday, September 2-6, 2021, 15:30 IST
Where: The Oval, London
Pitch Report
The Oval wicket is known to assist everyone throughout the match. There is usually bounce and carry for the quicker bowlers while it tends to spin on days four and five as well. The batters will also have a good time batting on this turf in the second and third sessions of the day’s play.
Predicted Playing XI
India: KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin/Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
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Preparations are on in both the camps ahead of the Headingley Test 💪#ENGvIND | #WTC23 pic.twitter.com/lMHXrLVOb9
— ICC (@ICC) August 24, 2021
England: Rory Burns, Haseeb Hameed, Dawid Malan, Joe Root (c), Jonny Bairstow (wk), Ollie Pope/Dan Lawrence, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Ollie Robinson, Mark Wood, James Anderson
England vs India – 4th Test – Fantasy 11 picks
Fantasy Suggestion 1: Jonny Bairstow, Rishabh Pant, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma (c), Chris Woakes, Ollie Robinson (VC), Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami
Fantasy Suggestion 2: Jonny Bairstow, Haseeb Hameed, Joe Root (c), KL Rahul (vc), Cheteshwar Pujara, Rohit Sharma, Moeen Ali, Ollie Edward Robinson, James Anderson, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah
