Pataudi Trophy 2021, 4th Test preview: India-England back to square one as battle for edge begins

India and England are tied 1-1 in the five-Test series for the Pataudi Trophy. Back to square one, both sides would start afresh in the fourth Test at The Oval in London from Thursday.

Pataudi Trophy 2021, 4th Test preview: Team analysis, squad, playing xi, live streaming, head-to-head-ayh

Ayush Gupta

London, First Published Sep 1, 2021, 4:06 PM IST

Just when it seemed India had the edge in the five-Test series against England for the Pataudi Trophy, the host bounced back emphatically. Now, as both the sides are back to square one, it all begins anew in the fourth Test at The Oval in London from Thursday, as we present the match preview.

Team composition
India continues to remain batting dominated, while Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul seem to be in form. However, skipper Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara and Rishabh Pant would be on the watchlist. As for the bowling, it has been a decent show from the pacers and seamers, and the same is expected to continue, while the spinners' impact would also be watched out. Furthermore, the addition of pacer Prasidh Krishna makes things even interesting.

As for England, it too is batting heavy. Although its batting was unstable in the opening two Tests, it bounced back strongly in the last Test, while its bowling has been applaudable throughout. The likes of skipper Joe Root and wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow are likely to perform. While the absence of fellow WK Jos Buttler might hurt, either Ollie Pope or Sam Billings can fill in for him.

Pataudi Trophy 2021, 4th Test preview: Team analysis, squad, playing xi, live streaming, head-to-head-ayh

Injury concerns
India has no injury concerns. As for England, Buttler is out due to personal reasons, while pacer Mark Wood remains uncertain as he recovers from his shoulder injury.

Head-to-head
As for the head-on clashes between the two, England leads with 49 wins of the 129 matches, while India has won 30. In England, of the 65 Tests, England has won 35, while India has won just eight. As for The Oval, it has hosted 13 Tests between the two, with England winning five and India winning just one.

Pataudi Trophy 2021, 4th Test preview: Team analysis, squad, playing xi, live streaming, head-to-head-ayh

Weather and pitch report
The weather in London is expected to remain cloudy with chances of rain on the final day. The temperature is likely to be around 19-24 degrees. As for the track, it is once again expected to be a typical English wicket with enough grass cover to suit the seamers.

Probable XI
India: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.
England: Joe Root (c), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Sam Billings, Rory Burns, Sam Curran, Haseeb Hameed, Dan Lawrence, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Chris Woakes and Mark Wood.

Pataudi Trophy 2021, 4th Test preview: Team analysis, squad, playing xi, live streaming, head-to-head-ayh

Fantasy XI
Batsmen: Rohit, Root (c), Rahul- Rohit and Rahul are the perfect openers for their dominant form, and the same goes for Root, who can bat at number three or four. Therefore, Root is the undisputed skipper of this XI.
Wicketkeepers: Bairstow, Pant- Bairstow has been doing decently and is expected to continue the same form. While Pant was shaky in the previous Test, his overall form has been admirable and is expected to bounce back in this Test.
All-rounders: Ashwin- The veteran would play his maiden game of the series but is expected to make a strong im[pact with his spin and can be a handy batsman, especially in pressure situations.
Bowlers: Anderson, Shami, Bumrah (vc), Siraj, Robinson- All the mentioned seamers have been consistent performers in the series, and there is no point fiddling with them or leaving them out. Bumrah has been economical, thus making him Root's deputy.

Match details
Date and day: September 2-6, 2021 (Thursday-Monday)
Venue: The Oval, London
Time: 3.30 PM (IST)
Where to watch (TV): Sony Ten, Sony Six, Sony Ten 3 and Sony Ten 4 (Also available in HD, along with regional languages)
Where to watch (Online): Sony LIV

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Last Updated Sep 1, 2021, 4:06 PM IST

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Pataudi Trophy 2021, 4th Test preview: India-England back to square one as battle for edge begins

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