The final test of the PayTM Series between India and England is going to be crucial for the home side in terms of their fate in the World Test Championship. India needs to avoid defeat to seal the spot in the final against New Zealand. Meanwhile, England is looking to grind out a win to level the series and make it a successful tour of England in 2021.
India made a resounding comeback in the series by winning the last two test matches after tasting a big defeat in the first game of the series. They will be looking to wrap up the series to win the second consecutive test series against England in home conditions.
What happened in last test between two sides?
England and India played out shortest test match since World War II last week when the hosts clinched 10 wickets victory on the second day of the game at the brand-new Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. There has been a lot of scrutiny surrounding the pitch played in the third test as both batsmen found it difficult to play against spinners.
Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel ended up taking 18 wickets in the third test, causing English batsmen all sorts of problems. Along with terrific bowling and assistance from the pitch, there were some poor shots played by English players against the spin duo. They ended up getting out for straight deliveries while playing for the turn.
How is pitch going to play in fourth test?
The fourth test is also going to be played in Ahmedabad, but on a different pitch. However, Ajinkya Rahane confirmed on Tuesday that the pitch is likely to behave like the previous two games. The ball is likely to turn from day one, but it is likely to skid less than the last match due to a change of ball. The extra lacquer on the pink ball allows it to skid from the pitch. The red ball is unlikely to take off from the pitch during the fourth test. Nevertheless, it will be a challenging pitch to bat on if it starts turning from day one.
Team News for both teams
India will be forced to make one change as Jasprit Bumrah withdrew himself from the squad for personal reasons. Umesh Yadav is back with the squad after recovering from the injury that he suffered in Australia. Due to his impressive record in home conditions, Yadav is likely to replace Bumrah instead of Mohammed Siraj. This is likely to be the only change in the team that clinched victory in the third test.
Meanwhile, England may bring in Dom Bess in the squad after opting for three pacers in the last match. They are likely to stick with the same batting unit despite few poor individual performances in the last test match.
Predicted teams
India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant, Ravichandran Ashwin, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma
England: Dom Sibley, Zak Crawley, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Olli Pope, Ben Foakes, Dom Bess, Jack Leach, Jofra Archer, James Anderson
With a place in the WTC final on the line, India will not be taking the foot off the gas and look to deliver a ruthless display as they did in the previous two games. England will be looking for quick improvements and mount a much better challenge than they did at the same venue two weeks ago.