India look to bounce back after Leeds loss

On Sep 1, 2021

Vice-Captain Ajinkya Rahane’s wretched form and senior off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin’s probable inclusion will have the most significant impact on the Indian Team’s efforts to move on from its Leeds debacle when it takes on a stronger England in the fourth Test at the Oval starting today.

The high of an inspirational victory at the Lord’s was followed by back-to-back batting debacles at Headingley and the penultimate game at Oval would certainly have an impact on both sides as the series heads towards its business end.

The Oval track has traditionally helped spinners and therefore Ashwin might just bring in his 400 plus wicket experience to trouble the English batters who have been wary of him in the past.

For England, Dawid Malan, in his comeback match, was in good touch. Add to it, Mark Wood’s blistering pace and Chris Woakes’s incisive swing bowling and it is enough to ensure a bit of workload management for James Anderson.

Jonny Bairstow is expected to keep wickets as Jos Buttler has taken a break with his wife expecting their second child. However, England have enough resources in their arsenal to trouble India. (Agencies)