The 3rd test match at Leeds turned out to be a horror for the Indian fans. The much fancied and upbeat Indian line-up was bowled out for a mere 78 runs in the first innings. The bowlers and fielders then had to endure yet another masterclass from Joe Root who scored his 3rd consecutive century of the series. The English captain has been having a great 2021 and he is slowly moving up the batting charts. Both the teams are now getting ready for the 4th test which starts on Thursday at the Kia Oval in London. Below are five things the Indian fans would want to see from the Indian team during the Oval test.
Inclusion of Ravichandran Ashwin –
The 34 year old Indian off spinner hasn’t featured for India yet in this long tour of England. With 413 wickets to his name he will be itching to give the ball a rip. It was here in Oval he picked a 6 wicket haul against Somerset playing a sole game for Surrey ahead of the test series against England. Ravindra Jadeja so far has been below par with the ball, even though the Saurashtra all rounder is fit, the fans would want Ashwin to be included in the playing XI.
The famed trio to come out firing –
One feels that Pujara and Rahane are now in the last chance saloon for team India. The two batsmen haven’t been consistent with the bat for India during the series. Rahane scored a fighting 60 odd during the 2nd test at Lord’s. Pujara scored 91 in the 3rd test at Leeds. More-over it is the form of Virat Kohli that will concern the fans a lot. The Indian captain has been falling caught behind the wicket on all occasions. Even though he showed good form in the 2nd innings at Leeds, it felt as if it was a matter of time before he was caught nicking. The Indian fans will want the trio to score runs by the heaps and put the English under pressure.
Better bowling performance –
The Indian bowlers looked wayward, indisciplined and haphazard during the 3rd test at Leeds. Apart from Mohammad Shami none of the pacers looked like picking a wicket. Ishant Sharma is most likely to be dropped for this game and a return of Shardul Thakur or possible debut for Prasidh Krishna is on the cards.
Stop Joe Root Early –
Joe Root single-handedly has been a thorn in the flesh of the Indian bowlers. The English captain has scored a century in each test match of the series. The Indian bowlers so far haven’t found a clue to get rid of the in-form of English captain. The only bowler who has troubled him this series is Bumrah and the Indian fans will look to the 27 year old pacer to nick Joe Root early during the 4th test.
The spirit of Lord’s to be rekindled and return of Pant’s Swagger–
The Leeds test showed the Indians go quiet on the field and cop quiet a lip from the English, namely Ollie Robinson. The Indian fans will hope to see a fired up India on the field giving it plenty to the English batsmen and bowlers. Another player who will be watched closely by the Indian fans is Rishabh Pant. The 23 year old Indian wicket keeper batsman has been woefully short of runs during the tour. Pant returns to Oval where he scored his maiden test hundred and will hope to rekindle his love affair with the iconic Oval Ground in the 4th test starting on Thursday.
