Five things to look forward to in fourth Test

Sport360 staff 19:38 07/12/2016
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  • India are on the verge of a series win.

    Going into the fourth Test with a 2-0 lead, India will aiming to complete a fifth successive series win.

    On the other hand, England know they must win in Mumbai if they are to have any chance.

    Here’s five things to look forward to in the fourth Test.

    ENGLAND RETURN TO VENUE THAT DEFINED 2012 SUCCESS

    It has been four years since the series when England defeated India, made possible because of a turnaround in the second Test at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

    Down 1-0 in the series, not many expected England to put much of a fight, but a brilliant counter-attacking century from Kevin Pietersen – in addition to a century from captain Alastair Cook and some fabulous spin bowling from Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar – saw the visitors level the series.

    England would go on to win that series, after tasting victory in the next Test at Kolkata as well. The 2012 encounter between the two sides remains the only Test series India have lost at home over the last 12 years.

    JENNINGS TO MAKE DEBUT FOR ENGLAND

    Keaton Jennings, the son of former South African coach Ray Jennings, is set to make his debut in Mumbai. He was born in Johannesburg, but has completed the four-year qualification period to play for England.

    The 24-year-old comes into the team in place of the injured Haseeb Hameed who was impressive with the bat in his debut series. In three Tests, Hameed notched up 219 runs which included two half-centuries.

    Jennings had a fantastic county season in 2016, winning the County Championship Player of the Year award. The left-handed batsman will be relishing the prospect of performing well in India.

    CONTRIBUTIONS FROM INDIA’S LOWER MIDDLE-ORDER

    One of the main reasons behind India’s strong form against England has been the performances of the lower middle-order with the bat.

    In the past, Indian bowlers would contribute close to nothing while batting. That has changed now, with spin bowling all-rounders like Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Jayant Yadav in the side.

    This was most evident during the third Test at Mohali, where Ashwin, Jadeja and Jayant all scored half-centuries in India’s first innings, digging the hosts out of a hole. Indian captain Virat Kohli will be hoping for more solid performances from his lower order batsmen in Mumbai.

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    INJURY CONCERNS FOR BOTH TEAMS

    Both, India and England, go into this Test with a lot of worries on the fitness front. India have star batsman Ajinkya Rahane ruled out of the series due to a finger injury, while Haseeb Hameed and Zafar Ansari will take no part in the remainder of the series for the visitors.

    In addition to that, fast bowlers Mohammed Shami and Stuart Broad are doubtful and will have to undergo a late fitness test.

    While India have replaced Rahane with Manish Pandey and have called up Shardul Thakur as a backup to Shami, England have roped in Keaton Jennings and Liam Dawson for Hameed and Ansari respectively.

    INDIA ON VERGE OF RARE SERIES WIN

    The Indian team haven’t enjoyed much success against England recently, failing to win a Test series against the visitors for almost eight years.

    In the three Test series played by the two sides since 2008, England registered wins with margins of 4-0, 1-2, 3-1, with all three being a source of humiliation for the Indians. In fact, the Alastair Cook-led side in 2012 has been the only team to defeat India in a Test series in India in over a decade.

    A win or a draw at Mumbai will put an end to India’s miserable run against England and that will definitely be on the minds of Kohli’s men as they take the field on Thursday.

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