The fourth Test between India and England is scheduled to be taking place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday. The hosts will be having an advantage going into the final encounter owing to their brilliant performances in the last couple of games. Riding on Axar Patel’s ten-for, India won the third Test in just the first two days and stormed to the top of the ICC Test Championship points table. All they need is a draw or a win in the fourth Test to qualify for the final against New Zealand. 

Joe Root and his men have been reeling in the series after two disappointing losses. Despite putting up a fight in the first innings of the pink-ball Test at Motera, England fell short and will be keen to level the series with a win in this fixture. However, England’s batting unit has not been able to deliver in the last two Tests and Joe Root will be crucial to their fortunes once again.

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India is the overwhelming favorite for this match. Having said that, England has shown glimpses of what they are capable of with the ball, which should hold them in good stead ahead of this game. With both teams eyeing a win in this fixture, the fans will be expecting a cracking game of Test cricket in Ahmedabad.

England

England has no fitness concerns ahead of the final Test of the series and, they are likely to pick their best available team after the rotation of the previous three matches. One change is almost certain, as Dom Bess set to feature in the playing XI in place of Stuart Broad to provide another spin option. Despite the struggles of the batsmen in the last two Tests, the lack of proven, in form alternatives in the touring party means England may opt to stick with the same top six that played in the third Test.

Probable XI: Dom Sibley, Zak Crawley, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root (c), Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Ben Foakes (wk), Dom Bess, Jack Leach, Jofra Archer, James Anderson

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India

There will be at least one enforced change because of Bumrah’s absence. While Mohammed Siraj has mostly been excellent since debuting in Australia, Umesh Yadav’s numbers in home conditions — a stunning strike-rate of 45.7 — should see the fit-again 33-year-old back in the XI for the first time since Boxing Day. Despite his scant participation with the pink ball, Washington Sundar’s batting abilities could continue to keep Kuldeep Yadav out of the XI.

Probable XI: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav