As we gear up for the penultimate match of the thrilling 5-match series between India and England, anticipation reaches its peak in the cricketing world. Set against the backdrop of the picturesque city of Ranchi, this 4th Test promises to be a spectacle of skill and determination.
With India currently leading 2-1 following their commanding victory in the previous encounter, the stakes couldn't be higher for both teams. The 3rd Test saw a masterclass from Rohit and Jadeja, whose centuries in the first innings set the tone for India's dominance. However, England's Ben Duckett's resilient 153 proved that the visitors are not to be underestimated.
Jaiswal notched up a brilliant 214 off 236 deliveries in return, supported by Shubman and Sarfaraz's crucial contributions of 91 and 68 respectively. Moreover, Jadeja's mesmerising bowling spell, culminating in a remarkable 5-wicket haul that dismantled England for a mere 122 runs, further solidifies India's position as the team to beat.
Given Jadeja's recent form and past record where he has taken 12 wickets in just two matches, makes him a strong contender to take the most wickets.
The betting tip is...
Ravindra Jadeja to be the highest wicket-taker in the match
In the upcoming 4th Test, India will heavily rely on their standout performers, Jaiswal and Bumrah, who lead the series charts with 545 runs and 17 wickets respectively, showcasing their immense value to the team. With an astonishing career tally of 861 runs in just 7 Test matches, Jaiswal's batting prowess and consistency will be pivotal in bolstering India's batting line-up.
Ravindra Jadeja, India's second-highest wicket-taker in the series with 12 scalps and a valuable contributor with 201 runs in 4 innings, will continue to be a key asset. Additionally, the promising debut of Sarfaraz and the impressive display by Dhruv Jurel both with the bat and behind the stumps offer India depth and stability.
While there's speculation regarding KL Rahul's return for the 4th Test, his inclusion might come at the expense of Rajat Patidar, considering Sarfaraz's confident batting displays in the previous match.
We predict KL Rahul to come in for Rajat Patidar.
Predicted Lineup: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
In the upcoming 4th Test, England will look towards key batsmen Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope to lead their batting charge against India, especially as Joe Root has struggled to find his form in the series so far. While Zak Crawley has shown promise with 226 runs but is yet to convert it into a century, England will be banking on the experience and firepower of players like Stokes and Bairstow to deliver substantial contributions with the bat which theyβve failed to do so far.
In the bowling department, Tom Hartley's impressive tally of 16 wickets in the series positions him as a vital asset for England, trailing only behind Bumrah.
However, England will be eager for more impactful performances from Mark Wood and James Anderson to dismantle India's formidable batting lineup, which has been in exceptional form. As the visitors gear up for a crucial encounter, they will be aiming to seize key moments and turn the tide in their favour against the formidable Indian side.
England to field the same lineup as the last match.
Predicted Lineup: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes (wk), Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, Mark Wood, James Anderson
With the pitch expected to favour batsmen, the Indian batting unit is anticipated to thrive, capitalising on the favourable conditions. Notably, Ranchi has only hosted two Test matches previously, and in the last encounter, Rohit Sharma showcased his class with a memorable double century.
Furthermore, Ravindra Jadeja's remarkable record in Ranchi, having claimed 12 wickets in 2 matches, underscores his potential to once again make a significant impact with the ball. Given his current form, Jadeja is poised to play a crucial role in India's quest for dominance on familiar turf.
We predict the 3rd Test to be drawn.