There will be no KL Rahul and Jasprit Bumrah in IND vs ENG 4th Test. While it’s a problem India Cricket Team will have to deal with, it’s a lifeline for someone like Rajat Patidar who was staring at an ouster after below average batting in four innings since debut. But Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid will have a selection headache to pick the pacer in India Playing XI to partner Mohammed Siraj.
Rajat Patidar or Devdutt Padikkal?
Jasprit Bumrah has been rested from the 4th Test while KL Rahul remains unfit. With Virat Kohli also unavailable, that opens up the door for Rajat Patidar, who has only scored 32, 9, 5 & 0 in the last four innings.
The only other option in the batting department is to go with Devdutt Padikkal. The Karnataka batter has earned a maiden Test call-up with good performances in Ranji Trophy and for India A.
However, as Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma both back consistency, it is unlikely that they will take the drastic step and drop Rajat Patidar from India Playing XI 4th Test.
Yashasvi Jaiswal has been phenomenal while Shubman Gill too has returned to form. Sarfaraz Khan scored twin half-centuries on debut and hence he retains his place in India Playing XI. Dhruv Jurel also scored 46 and padded that up with some good glovework behind the stumps. Hence, the batting line-up is all set to go unchanged.
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Bowling combination dilemma
With Ravindra Jadeja back to partner Ravichandran Ashwin, all India have to decide on the two players. Should India pick Axar Patel over Kuldeep Yadav or go with four spinners and a seamer.
The practice session on Wednesday will provide clarity on the pitch and India will decide accordingly. For now, Kuldeep Yadav is likely to keep his place in India Playing XI unless any late injuries.
Akash Deep or Mukesh Kumar?
The bigger question is on the second seamer. Provided India go with two seamers, India need a pacer to partner Mohd Siraj.
Akash Deep is tipped to make India debut with Mukesh Kumar not really shining against England batters. That he has gone for an economy rate of 4.54 in South Africa and 5.83 against England could go against him. Mukesh has only bagged 7 wickets so far.
Akash Deep has played 30 First Class matches, bagging 104 wickets at an impressive average of 23.58. He also has four five-wicket hauls. Hence, India will have to decide on the second seamer. And if it’s Akash Deep in India Playing XI, don’t be surprised.
Predicted India Playing XI
- Rohit Sharma (C)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Shubman Gill
- Rajat patidar
- Sarfaraz Khan
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Dhruv Jurel (WK)
- Ravichandran Ashwin
- Kuldeep Yadav/ Axar Patel
- Mohd Siraj
- Mukesh Kumar/ Akash Deep
India squad for 4th Test:
Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), KS Bharat (WK), Devdutt Padikkal, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep.
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