Debasis Sen, Southampton: It will be interesting to see whether Indian captain Virat Kohli breaks his winning combination for the fourth test match against England here at the Ageas Bowl. Kohli has been tinkering with his playing XI in his last 38 test matches. If he sticks with the winning combination of Trentbridge then it will be a rare first time that he will keep the same playing XI.
‘Horses for courses’ is what seems to have been Virat Kohli’s mantra for success as India’s Test captain. In all the 38 Test matches that he has captained in, for India, Kohli has never played the same playing in consecutive Test matches. In all those matches, the Indian skipper has made at least one change in the team.
Looking at the practice sessions of the Indian team, it gives a hint that the same playing XI will be preferred. The Indian team practiced in the similar pattern of their batting line-up in the nets. Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul practiced first. Then it was Cheteshawar Pujara, and Virat Kohli padded up next, followed by Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant, and Hardik Pandya. There were injury concerns for off-spinner R Ashwin, but he was seen bowling at the nets on Tuesday.
As per the performances in the third Test, there is not one player who can be dropped for the next Test match. It will be a tough call for Kohli to select the playing XI in the Southampton Test.
The wickets at Ageas Bowl might influence Kohli to go in with an extra pacer in Umesh Yadav but that looks highly improbable. There is a tinge of grass on the 22 yards indicating enough bounce and pace during the test match.
India scripted a remarkable comeback in the third Test match to keep the series alive and ticking. Currently, India is 2-1 down in the series and would look forward to drawing level with the hosts, England.