Adrian Mills' tips for the fourth Test in Ranchi include a bounce-back performance from England with one of their openers impressing in the first innings.
With the series in the balance, India and England will meet in Ranchi this week with the hosts currently 2-1 up in the five-Test series.
On a pitch that hasn’t seen much red-ball cricket and with changes likely on both sides, we could be in for an enthralling Test match.
Throw into the equation the potential return to bowling of captain Ben Stokes and England will feel that they can level the series.
Selections
England to win
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50+ runs first innings – Zak Crawley
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Method of first dismissal: LBW
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Personnel changes may swing in England’s favour
India announced this week that Jasprit Bumrah will be rested for the fourth Test, despite being the top wicket-taker in the series.
The world number one Test bowler, who has taken 17 England scalps, is the only paceman to have played in all of the first three matches.
Bumrah’s absence will certainly be felt by the hosts, who have recalled Mukesh Kumar to the squad – he has only played one previous Test match.
England have suggested they will stick with Jonny Bairstow despite his recent lack of form, with the only changes likely to be in the bowling department.
Ollie Robinson is being tipped to gain a recall, while the tourists have indicated that skipper Stokes could bowl for the first time since recovering from knee surgery.
With Jack Leach missing the rest of the series through injury, England are limited with what they can do with their spin options, with Tom Hartley and Rehan Ahmed supported by Joe Root, although Shoaib Bashir could be recalled.
Openers can build a foundation
Despite disappointing as a team with the bat, England’s openers have performed pretty well across the opening three matches.
Ben Duckett’s 153 in the third Test was the only big positive for England in their 434-run defeat and his opening partnership with Zak Crawley could be key to a fightback.
The England opening partnerships have been worth 313 runs, an average of 52.16 per innings, and they will need to get the tourists on the front foot.
Although he’s not been at his dazzling best, Crawley smashed 76 and 73 in the second Test and there have been signs that a century could be in the offing for the Kent man.
Ashwin provides the India threat
With no Bumrah, Ravichandran Ashwin will take the lead as India’s senior bowler and he is one of the few players in the squad to have Test experience of playing in Ranchi.
Spin is likely to play a big role again in the fourth Test and that will probably lead to more lbw appeals, from both sides.
An opening batter has been trapped leg before wicket on five occasions across 12 innings – one of those came via Ashwin, who dismissed Crawley in England’s second innings in Rajkot.
You can back lbw as the method of first dismissal at 4/1, while bowled is 15/4 and caught is available at 1/2.
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