England vs India 2018: 3 English players who should be dropped in the fourth Test

England have been the dominant team so in the three Test matches so far. Having squarely beaten India in the first two Test matches, England suffered a heavy defeat in the third Test. They lost by 203 runs while chasing a mammoth fourth innings total of 521 runs.

Despite Jos Butler's brilliant century and Ben Stokes resilient batting in the fourth innings, the Indian bowlers especially Bumrah were too good for the English batting order. Their openers again faltered and were unable to provide the momentum. Hence, a deep introspection should be conducted by the English selectors particularly in this area.

Let us have a look at the three players who should be dropped by England in the 4th Test at The Rose Bowl, Southampton.

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#3 Adil Rashid

England's front-line spinner Adil Rashid has been rarely given the ball in this Test series so far. Despite playing all the three matches, he didn't ball at all in the Lord's Test due to the overhead conditions and bowled just 48 overs in the other two Test matches. Hence, he has just picked up 7 wickets at an average of 26.71.

Despite his cameo with the bat in England's second innings at Nottingham, he has in the first two Test matches just scored 29 runs at an average of 14.50. Hence, England should look at picking up a spin all-rounder like Moeen Ali who has troubled the Indian batsmen in the past by picking up 19 wickets in five matches in 2014. He has also lately scored a 219 for Worcestershire against Yorkshire.

Hence, Moeen Ali should be picked by England in place of Adil Rashid in the next Test.

#2 Keaton Jennings

Keaton Jennings has been in horrible form for England in the Test series against India. He has scored just 94 runs in five innings at an average of 18.80. His highest score in the series has just been 42.

Jennings has failed to give a good start for England in all the matches so far. Whenever he has come on to bat, he has always been in two minds as to whether to play the new ball on the front foot or back foot. Being brought up in English conditions, Jennings should have mastered this judgement till now.

Hence, England should look for some other technically sound opener to replace Keaton Jennings in the next Test.

#1 Alastair Cook

Alastair Cook has not been in good form for England for almost a year now. There have been murmurs about his retirement in the press. In the three Test matches against India, he has scored just 80 runs in five innings at an average of 16. Cook, alongside his opening partner Keaton Jennings, has failed to provide a perfect start for England in this series.

He hasn't used his feet at all to the Indian pacers and hence has nicked the ball a couple of times. Being a good player of spin bowling, he has surprisingly got out to Ashwin twice in the three Test matches so far. Hence, England should consider the option of dropping Alastair Cook in the remaining two matches.

The English selectors should look for an appropriate replacement for Cook from the county circuit.