MUMBAI, (Reuters) – India will enter the fourth and final test against England who have rocked a spin tomorrow only needing a tie to win the series, which will also seal their place in June’s final in the first Test Championship World versus New Zealand.
England made a bright start to the four-Test series, stunned India with a 227 win in the opener in Chennai but then failed as the hosts regrouped and took a 2-1 lead with comprehensive gains in the second and the third game.
Virat Kohli’s men completed an incredible 10 wickets victory against England within two days of the third day test in Ahmedabad with spinners from both sides running riot on a handy surface at the world’s largest cricket stadium.
Ahmedabad will also carry out the final test, albeit with the traditional red ball, and the pitch is unlikely to be significantly different to the one that saw 30 wickets fall in five sessions in the shortest test match completed since 1935.
England’s top spinner Jack Leach said the English dressing room does not spend too much time discussing the condition of the fields and is concentrating more on their preparations for the last test.
“I really don’t have too much to say about the pitch, I think we’ve played a part in those conditions and for me I’m always looking to learn and improve and see every challenge as a way to “Leach told reporters.
The visiting side can still spoil the favor for India with a win in Ahmedabad and pave the way for Australia to join New Zealand trans-Tasman rivals in the WTC final at Lord’s in June.
But for that to happen, England would first need to choose the right team on Thursday and not repeat their mistake of putting a swift attack on a nightmare paradise.
Joe Root was the only part-time spin option alongside Leach during the pink ball fight with England installing three front-line managers along with Ben Stokes, all bowlers, for the fight.
Spinner Dom Bess, who grabbed five wickets in England’s victory at Chennai, is likely to be recalled with veteran bowling duo James Anderson and Stuart Broad making way.
India will also be forced to change their winning combination with fast forward Jasprit Bumrah making him unavailable from the contest due to personal reasons.
Either Mohammed Siraj or his fellow Umesh Yadav could quickly replace Bumrah.