Xtra Time Web Desk: A confident Indian team led by Virat Kohli will look to seal the test series against England as the fourth and final test starts from Thursday at the Narendra Modi Stadium. With the hosts leading the four match test series 2-1, a draw would guarantee India a place in the final of the ICC World Test Championship in June against New Zealand. England on the other hand will look to salvage some pride after their embarrassing 10 wickets loss in the third test. A win in the final test of the series will ensure a draw for Joe Root and his boys.
For India the equation is simple – they need to avoid loss in the final Test to book their place in WTC Final where will then take on New Zealand at the Lord’s from June 18-22.
However, if England, somehow, manages to win the final Test and thereby draw the series, the WTC final will then be contested between New Zealand and Australia.
Also, other motivation for the England team going into the final Test would be to gain some much-needed confidence ahead of the limited-overs leg of the tour.
It will be interesting to see how the 22 yards behave for the final test match after the third test strip received a lot of flak for the test match getting over inside two days. A lot has been said about the Motera strip last few days, mostly coming from former England cricketers.
Joe Root’s men will be motivated with the fact that if they can clinch a win then they will draw the series which in itself will be a huge achievement by any overseas team.
Bowlers from both sides delivered stand-out performances in the game as 30 wickets fell within a little over five sessions in the third Test. On the other hand, almost all the batsmen, barring Rohit Sharma and Zak Crawley, were found wanting as they struggled against the turning and skidding balls. The pitch for the fourth Test is expected to once again assist the spinners, thus making it more difficult for the visitors.
Notably, India’s premier spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and young Axar Patel picked up 18 of the 20 England wickets between them to bowl England out for 112 runs in their first innings and then 81 in the second of the third Test match, which was finished inside two days thus stirring the controversy apropos nature of the pitch.
India pacer Umesh Yadav is fit again after injuring his calf in Australia, and he could be in action during the fourth and final Test against England. Umesh can replace Jasprit Bumrah, who is out of the fourth Test.