Mumbai: England come 2-0 down in the five-match Test Series after three matches as they enter the 4th Test to be played at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai from Thursday. They cannot win it from here, however if they manage to pull off a 2-2 from here it would be nothing less than victory for them considering the situation in which they find themselves in.
But to do that they must sort out some issues in their side, the primary concern being the batting order when H Hammed has been ruled out from the rest of the series. England would have to somehow find a way to win crucial moments and sessions of the game. For it is in those moments, inevitably, that the winner is decided.
Alastair Cook and Joe Root must play more responsibly and not throw away their wickets once set because that exposes the relatively inexperienced batting lineup asking them too much to do. Adil Rashid is the only England bowler to feature in the top five wicket takers in the series. In fact he is ahead of R Aswhin as well and leads the tally. But cricket is not a one man show and Adil Rashid alone cannot win England games and needs wickets from the other end as well. The emphasis is always on batting partnerships and often the bowling partnerships are ignored, although bowling partnerships are also an equally important aspect of the game which is evident in the on-going series. R-Ashwin remains on the winning side because he has excellent partners in R Jadeja and Jayant Yadav or Amit Mishra, however Adil Rashid is not finding that support from the other end.
India on the other hand has its own aim and certain areas that the team would like to improve on. The Indian team in the recent years is known to be a good fielding unit, however the way Indian team has fielded in the ongoing series is poor by any standards and they would certainly like to make amends. The other issue being silent run of Ajinkya Rahane so far with the bat. Rahane averages around 12 so far in the series and if he finds his touch that would ease off the burden of Virat Kohli’s and R Ashwin’s shoulders and they can in turn perform freely. Thus, the 4th Test at Mumbai promises to be another wonderful contest comprising of several contests.
Action begins on 8th December 2016 at 9:30 AM IST Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
Let’s have a look at the players to watch out for: -
England
1. Alaistar Cook
The only man to be in race to break Sachin Tendulkar’s Test record, Cook has all the experience that is needed to improve his game as a player and the team’s performance in the series as a captain. With 246 runs at an average of 41, Cook hasn’t had a bad outing but that’s not the Cook who toured India in 2012. If Cook can manage to reach somewhat close to his 2012 brilliance, England can very well pull of a 2-2 from here.
2. Joe Root
One of the very best young cricketers in world cricket who is equally efficient in all three forms of the game, Joe Root is perhaps the most complete batsman in the England batting lineup. England’s leading run scorer in this series as well, Joe Root must not give it away after scoring half centuries and convert them into big knocks somewhat like Virat Kohli. If Root manages to do that, England will undoubtedly have a chance.
3. Adil Rashid
The leading wicket taker in the Test Series, Adil Rashid has taken 18 wickets in the 883 balls bowled by him, three more than the best Indian spinner in the present Indian squad R Aswhin that tells a story. If Rashid finds a bowling partner who could do similar damage from the other end, England become a very dangerous unit.
4. Stuart Broad
Broad has come a long way after his infamous (for him) over that cost 36 runs in World T20 2007. That is enough to show the character Broad is. Even in these Indian pitches which hardly offer anything to fast bowlers, Broad has been successful in taking wickets and making life difficult for the batsmen.
India
1. Ajinkya Rahane
Indian fans have had enough. Ajinkya Rahane is surely due for a big innings. With him averaging around 12 in the series, it has left us asking for too much from R Ashwin. Thankfully, Ashwin has delivered so far but it’s time now for Rahane to show why he is an asset to the team while fielding or batting.
2. Murali Vijay
Murali Vijay’s form has also slipped down and he needs to come good and provide a stable start for the likes of Pujara, Kohli to follow. If the Tamil Nadu boy fires, England will have a very difficult time on the field.
3. R Ashwin
Virat Kohli’s go to man in Tests and a native of the “players to watch out for” list if a team is playing India that too in Indian conditions. R Ashwin’s batting performance has made him extremely valuable to the team and India can now afford to play a batsman short and having 5 regular bowlers in the side. R Ashwin playing at No.6 also tells the kind of faith skipper has on his bating. The all-rounder R Ashwin is definitely a man to watch out.
4. M Shami
Shami is silently doing his work at the moment, exactly the man you need in the side who could shift roles perfectly. When conditions are favouring his style of bowling he will lead the attack, when conditions are not favouring his style of bowling he will play a supporting lead and pick up a wicket or two with the new ball or the reverse swinging ball. With 10 wickets alongside his name, M Shami is the second leading wicket taker for India in the series.