Photo by PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP via Getty Images
After a commanding victory in the third Test at Rajkot, India has taken a 2-1 lead in the series against England, setting the stage for an intriguing fourth Test in Ranchi. The margin of India’s win in the previous match was their biggest by runs in Tests, underlining their dominance over the visitors.
India’s resurgence after a shaky start in Rajkot, where they recovered from 33 for 3 on the first morning, showcased their resilience and depth in batting and bowling. With key players delivering crucial performances, including standout displays from Jasprit Bumrah and Yashasvi Jaiswal, India’s confidence will be high heading into the fourth Test.
On the other hand, England will be disappointed with their performance in the third Test. Their talk of chasing any target set by India proved hollow, highlighting the challenges they faced against the home side’s formidable lineup.
As the series reaches its crucial stages, both teams will have some thinking to do ahead of the fourth Test. England, in particular, will need to address their batting inconsistencies and bowling strategy to mount a comeback in the series. However, introspection has not been a strong suit for England under the current regime, adding an extra layer of intrigue to their preparations for the upcoming match.
The fourth Test in Ranchi promises to be another riveting encounter, with both teams eager to make their mark and seize momentum in the series. With the stakes high and the pressure mounting, expect a fiercely contested battle between two cricketing powerhouses as they vie for supremacy on the field.
Rohit Sharma (C)
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Shubman Gill
Rajat Patidar/Devdutt Padikkal
Sarfaraz Khan
Ravindra Jadeja
Axar Patel/Mukesh Kumar
Dhruv Jurel (wk)
R Ashwin
Kuldeep Yadav
Mohd Siraj
# Jasprit Bumrah has been released from the squad for 4th Test.
# KL Rahul has been ruled out of Ranchi Test.
# India will make a choice between Axar Patel and Mukesh Kumar in place of Jasprit Bumrah
# Devdutt Padikkal may come in for Rajat Patidar.
Zak Crawley
Ben Duckett
Ollie Pope
Joe Root
Ben Stokes (C)
Jonny Bairstow
Ben Foakes (wk)
Tom Hartley
Ollie Robinson
Shoaib Bashir
James Anderson
# England made two changes to their Playing XI. Ollie Robinson and Shoaib Bashir come in for Mark Wood and Rehan Ahmed.
WK: Dhruv Jurel
BAT: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Shubman Gill, Ben Duckett
ALL: R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Ben Stokes/Axar Patel
BOWL: Shoaib Bashir, Tom Hartley
JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi stands out for its larger size, setting the stage for a Test match where spinners are expected to play a significant role. With its spacious outfield and pitches conducive to spin bowling, the venue has a history of favoring slow bowlers who can exploit the conditions with grip and turn.
As India and England gear up for the fourth Test of their series, the spotlight will be on the spinners from both teams to make an impact on a surface known to assist their craft. With the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav for India, and Tom Hartley, Joe Root and Rehan Ahmed for England, the battle between bat and ball is expected to be heavily influenced by spin bowling dynamics.
The larger dimensions of the ground could also come into play, testing the fielding skills and fitness of both teams as they look to capitalize on every opportunity. Additionally, the history of the venue suggests that batting could be challenging at times, especially against quality spin bowling, adding an extra layer of complexity to the contest.
Yashasvi Jaiswal has been the standout performer. Ravindra Jadeja and R Aswhin are among others who can put man of the match performance. Kuldeep Yadav can be a X-factor.
Joe Root can be a dark horse, a batsman of his calibre can stage a comeback.
India enters the fourth Test as favorites, backed by their formidable performance in the last match. The cricket betting odds favor India.