ENG v IND 2018: COC Predicted India XI for the fourth Test at Southampton

India won the third Test by 203 runs at Nottingham.

Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara came good for India with the bat in the 3rd Test

Team India got a major morale-boosting win in the third Test against England, which they won by 203 runs. With this win, India goes into the fourth Test at Southampton 1-2 down, with a chance of drawing level in the series.

Thanks to the collective effort of the team and led amiably by captain Virat Kohli, with brilliant performances from Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah; Team India was ahead in the Test from the start when they scored 300 plus in the first innings and bowling out England for 160 odd.

Team India saw the form returning to the top order, as both the openers Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul added 60 runs each in both innings of the Test match. Virat Kohli scored 97 and 103, while Hardik Pandya scored 52* and picked 5/28. Bumrah showed why Team India missed him so much in the first two Tests by picking 5 wickets in England’s second innings.

The Ageas Bowl (Rose Bowl) Test will see a resurgent Indian team take on a hurt England team which will be looking to win the Test and win the series.

Team COC presents the predicted India XI for the fourth Test in Southampton against England.

Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya performed brilliantly with the ball | Getty

With a partnership of 60 runs each in both innings of the third Test, both KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan have more or less secured their places for the fourth Test and might continue to open the innings at the Ageas Bowl. Pujara might also continue at his favored no.3 spot thanks to a spirited half-century in the Indian first innings and signs that he is getting into his groove.

India captain and vice-captain in Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane might continue in their spots of no.4 and no.5 thanks to their brilliant partnership in the third Test. Rishabh Pant did well behind the stumps team with his record seven dismissals and showed promise with the bat. Hardik Pandya showed his true colors as an all-rounder by picking five wickets in an innings and then scoring a fifty and was just pipped by the Indian captain for the Man of the match award.

Ravindra Jadeja might replace R Ashwin who is struggling with an injury | GettyThe only possible change in the Indian playing XI might be that of Ravindra Jadeja replacing R Ashwin given that Ashwin is battling a groin injury and was in visible discomfort bowling in the second innings of the third Test.

Ishant Sharma and Mohammad Shami will more or less retain their places in the playing XI, given their brilliant bowling in the third Test, when they supported Hardik Pandya in the first innings and Jasprit Bumrah in the second innings, as they ripped the England batting apart.

Jasprit Bumrah’s inclusion in the team gave the confidence to the Indian team to play more aggressively after the Lord’s debacle. His second innings bowling, especially with the second new ball, gave India a crushing 203-run win.

COC Predicted India XI for the fourth Test:
Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (C), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (WK), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah

 
 

By Jatin Sharma - 28 Aug, 2018

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