India's probable XI for fifth Test against England

Team India was humiliated by hosts England in the first two Tests of the five-match series. But the visitors countered the hosts in the third one by emphatic 203 runs. But in the fourth Test, Indian top order failed in both innings, as a result, they lost the match by 60 runs.

Indian bowlers continued from where they left in the third Test and came out thrashing at the England batsmen in the first innings and reduced them to 36/4 before Sam Curran (78 runs off 138 balls) initiated a rescue innings with Moeen Ali (40 runs off 85 balls) and took England to a respectable total of 246 at the end of first innings. In reply, India scored 273 runs in first innings, courtesy a brilliant century by Cheteshwar Pujara and ended with a lead of 27 runs on the board.

After the batsmen, the onus was now on bowlers to prove their fate and they dominated from start to finish in the second innings and didn't let the English batsmen score freely with Mohammad Shami being pick of the lot with 4/57 as English team bundled out for 271 runs and Jos Buttler (69 runs off 122 balls) being the only half-centurian. Leaving India with 245 to chase down in the final innings.

Chasing 245, India lost their first three wickets for just 22 runs. After that, skipper Virat Kohli (58) along with vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane (51) built up crucial 101 run partnership to bring some respite. But, Kohli's wicket just before tea opened the gates for England as they steamed through the Indian middle and lower order in no time and India were bundled out for 184.

With the fifth Test coming up at the Kennington Oval, London in a few days, India would like to take the momentum in the next game. T.

So, let's take a look at India's predicted playing XI and probable changes for the fourth Test

---

#1 Prithvi Shaw

KL has not been able to find his feet in the series so far. He is getting the starts but failed to convert them into big ones. In the fourth Test, the opener scored 19 and 0 runs in respective innings and is likely to lose his place in the final Test.

KL Rahul's last 13 innings outside the sub-continent: 28, 10, 4, 0, 16, 4, 13, 8, 10, 23, 36, 19 and 0.

Prithvi Shaw is likely to replace the Karnataka batsman. Prithvi Shaw's playing style has often been compared to Sachin Tendulkar. That should tell you everything you need to know about his abilities. The 18-year-old is yet to feature for India in any format but that might change very soon.

After his failure in both innings, he is expected to be replaced by Prithvi Shaw in the fifth Test.

---

#2 Shikhar Dhawan

The enigmatic left-hander was dismissed in disappointing fashion in both innings of the fourth Test. He managed respective scores of 23 and 17 in first and second innings.

Despite his failure in both innings he is likely to continue in final Test due to his experience and one would hope to attack the bowlers from the beginning.

---

#3 Cheteshwar Pujara

Pujara missed out on the playing XI for the first Test but was brought back for the 2nd Test where he failed to make an impact. But due to skipper's trust in him, he was given chance in the third Test, which he utilized perfectly with a steady knock of 72 runs off 209 balls. He continued his momentum from the third Test and scored brilliant 132 runs off 257 balls.

He played an extremely patient knock in the first innings to silence all his critics and is expected to feature in final Test.

#4 Virat Kohli

The Indian skipper has been in the form of his life and this time got full support from the team as well. He has been the best batsman of the side in the series so far. The charismatic batsman once again scored 46 and 58 runs in both innings respectively.

He will look to continue his ominous best and get a couple of big knocks under his belt in the fifth Test as well.

---

#5 Ajinkya Rahane

Rahane once again proved why he is India's best performer in overseas conditions. The middle-order batsman's failures in previous Tests marked questions on his place in the side. But the Indian vice-captain answered his critics with a splendid knock of 51 in final innings.

His 101 run stand with Virat Kohli in the second innings showed India dome hope of victory. During the partnership, both Kohli and Rahane showed great verve to mobilize the scoreboard.

#6 Dinesh Karthik

Rishabh Pant made his Test debut after Dinesh Karthik managed just 20 runs in two Tests, and the wicketkeeper-batsman took full advantage of it in the previous test especially behind the wicket, as he became the first Indian wicketkeeper to effect eight dismissals on test debut.

But the reason why he was included in playing XI was Dinesh Kartik batting not keeping. His scores of 24, 0, 0 and 18 in four innings shows his inexperience on the international stage as he gave away his wicket playing unnecessary shots. This was the reason Dinesh Kartik is still in the squad. This can go against him in the final Test. The skipper might give DK a go-ahead in final test.

---

#7 Hardik Pandya

After a heartwarming performance in the third Test, Hardik Pandya completely lost his way in the fourth Test. The all-rounder managed just one wicket in two innings and his scores of 4 and 0 in two innings are not going to help his cause either.

Despite this, he is likely to get chance in final Test on the basis of his performance in the third Test.

#8 Ravichandran Ashwin

After picking up seven wickets in the first Test, Ashwin failed to capitalize on it in the second and third Test. In the fourth Test, he bowled 14.2 overs for two wickets in first innings and 38.1 in second with just one wicket. He has been quite economical and wasn't an easy target for the English side and he would like to prove his worth in the next Test where he might be the key.

Though the only thing that can go against him is his batting in the fourth Test as Indian top order is still struggling with the bat and the skipper might like to field an extra all-rounder in the team. This can give Ravindra Jadeja first start in the Test series, else Ashwin is most likely to start.

---

#9 Ishant Sharma

Ishant Sharma has been in terrific form and has been the go-to man in the Indian bowling lineup. Sharma took 2/26 and 2/36 in respective innings.

The bowler has been able to pick wickets at crucial stages and is expected to take his form into the next Test.

#10 Mohammed Shami

Shami is one of India's best bowlers in the Test arena. He was sick of the lot with six wickets in the fourth Test and he is likely to keep his place on the basis of his experience and Bhuvneshwar Kumar injury.

He has been clinical so far and will look to clinch some early breakthroughs in the final Test and continue to rattle the opposition with his pace and swing.

---

#11 Jasprit Bumrah

The Indian pacer proved his worth in his comeback match with seven wickets in the third Test and continued his form in the fourth Test as well. Bumrah took for wickets in four wickets in this Test. He was a match-turner for the team in the third Test and took the crucial wickets in fourth as well.

He has been a welcome addition to the side and could prove to be the X-factor with the ball in next game as well. The only thing he needs to concentrate on is no balls.