Another tricky turning track on cards for 4th Test, Umesh and Kuldeep in line to replace Bumrah and Sundar

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KEY STORY

  • India and England will square off for the fourth and final Test at the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium, Ahmedabad on Thursday (March 4).
  • After much talk around the nature of the pitch that was used for the third and penultimate day-night Test, at the same venue, all eyes are on how the pitch will play for the final encounter. 
  • Not many expected the third Test to end within two days as the pink-ball contest saw wickets falling at regular intervals as only a total of 338 runs were scored and 30 wickets fell in the span of five sessions.
  • Opting to bat first, Joe Root-led England were bundled out for 112 as Axar Patel’s 6-fer and R Ashwin’s three-wicket haul did the trick for Virat Kohli-led Team India. 
  • In response, Indian batters fell like nine pins too as they were dismissed for 145 after being 99-3 at one stage.
  • The pitch remained a major talking point as it had uneven bounce, turned quite a bit on some occasions and the pink ball skidded way more than the red cherry.
  • Hence, England’s miseries continued as they once again fell for cheap, 81 all-out in their second essay, before India closed the contest with a 10-wicket win in pursuit of 49. 
  • As both sides have moved on and are preparing hard for the fourth and final Test, with plenty to play for, the pitch is expected to remain a turner.

  • The pitch for the fourth Test sported a tinge of green but it is highly expected that the groundsmen will mow the surface considerably to make it effective, turning it more brown and bald, for the Indian bowlers in the next three days.
  • While Kohli & Co. wouldn’t have liked to tinker with their winning combination, they will have to make a forced change due to Jasprit Bumrah’s unavailability.
  • With the pacer leaving the squad for personal reasons, he is likely to be replaced by Umesh Yadav, who is a force to reckon with in home conditions.
  • On the other hand, Kuldeep Yadav might fill in for Washington Sundar as the pitch is expected to remain a turner .
  • The fourth and final Test will present India an opportunity to not only win the series, 3-1, but also proceed to the ICC World Test Championship final. New Zealand have already qualified and Australia can enter the summit clash provided England beat India and draw the series at 2-2.

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