New Delhi: Team India's batsmen have been struggling ever since enjoying the Lord's Test high and the visitors getting bowled out for just 191 in their 1st innings on Day 1 of The Oval on Thursday does reflect it. Taking full advantage of winning the toss on a pace-friendly pitch and overcast conditions at the Oval, England's fast bowlers feasted on India's dodgy batting techniques.
As India's top-order faced major collpase yet again, Shardul Thakur (57) led the fightback by scoring 2nd fastest 50 by an Indian batsman to push his team to a decent total. Jasprit Bumrah bagged two wickets in the same over to remove both England openers Rory Burns (5) and Haseeb Hameed (0). Shardul was the top-scorer for India and skipper Virat Kohli contributed with a hard-fought 50. At Stumps on Day 1 of Eng vs Ind 4th Test, England had lost three wickets after scoring 53 runs and trail India by 138 runs.
For England, Chris Woakes was the pick of bowlers with remarkable bowling figures of 4-55 and Ollie Robinson picked three wickets.
England won the toss and invited India to bat first. Both teams have made two changes in their playing XI for Ind vs Eng Oval Test. India's pace duo of Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma were not included in the playing XI for 4th Test. In their place, Umesh Yadav and Shardul Thakur have been given a chance in India's playing XI. On the other hand, England have included Ollie Pope and Chris Woakes in their playing XI, in place of Jos Buttler and Sam Curran.
India vs England 1st Test ended in a draw, after which the visitors registered a solid 156-run win at the iconic Lord's stadium to take 1-0 lead in the series. The third Test of the series was played at the Headingley Ground in Leeds, where England made a strong comeback with an innings and 176-run win to level the series 1–1.
India's playing XI for 4th Test: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (captain), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj.
England's playing XI for 4th Test: Rory Burns, Haseeb Hameed, David Malan, Joe Root (c), Ollie Pope, Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Craig Overton, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson.