India’s likely Playing XI for Oval Test against England

London: India and England will face off in the fourth Test at The Oval from today (September 2). The five-match series is currently tied 1-1.

Having lost the third Test by an innings margin, the Virat Kohli-led Indian team will be under pressure to bounce back. It had won the second Test convincingly at Lord’s.

India’s worries will be about its batting and right selection calls. Skipper Kohli, after the last Test defeat at Headingley, had said that he doesn’t believe playing an extra batsman.

It will be interesting to see whether India’s premier spinner Ravichandran Ashwini gets to play at The Oval or not. He had been ignored for the opening three Tests. Ravindra Jadeja was the preferred spinner. However, he was picked more for his batting and his bowling did not make wonders in the three Tests.

India’s pace attack of Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj could be changed for The Oval Test. Ishant, who had an unimpressive outing at Headingley, is set to be axed.

Today (September 2) is Ishant’s birthday but he is most likely to be benched. And in terms of workload management either Bumrah and Shami could be rested.

There is also pressure on vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane. He could make way for Hanuma Vihari or newbie Suryakumar Yadav.

Here is India’s likely Playing XI for The Oval Test against England

1. Rohit Sharma. 2. KL Rahul. 3. Cheteshwar Pujara. 4. Virat Kohli (captain). 5. Ajinkya Rahane/Hanuma Vihari/Suryakumar Yadav. 6. Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper). 7. Ravichandran Ashwin. 8. Shardul Thakur. 9. Mohammed Shami/Umesh Yadav. 10. Jasprit Bumrah. 11. Mohammed Siraj.