India vs Australia, 4th Test: India Predicted XI

Heartbreak in Pune for India, euphoria in Bengaluru and a stalemate in Ranchi: this series between the top two Test sides has seen every outcome. But as India and Australia lock horns one last time in Dharamsala, both the teams will look to make those fine adjustments which will give them that slight edge over the opposition, and force a result in the final Test. With the series currently level, India will look to cap off the season with a victory over the resilient Aussies and get the Border-Gavaskar Trophy back into their custody. Virat Kohli will obviously look to go for the win, and hence a change in the team in quite likely. HPCA curator Sunil Chauhan made it very clear that the track at Dharamsala has pace, bounce and grass and will assist the pacers. Hence, Kohli, who has set a trend of regularly making those slight alterations, will look to fine-tune his side and play to his strengths. Here is CricTracker’s predicted XI for the series decider. KL Rahul KL Rahul. (Photo Source: BCCI) Having consistently performed at the top of the order, KL Rahul has cemented his place in India’s Test squad. He’s been dependable and has offered his team a steady start right through this series. With three consecutive half-centuries, Rahul has looked positive in his stroke-play as well as his defense. The youngster will most certainly open the batting for India as there’s no doubt about his selection in the fourth Test. What Rahul and the team would want is for him to convert the fifties into big daddy hundreds. Murali Vijay Murali Vijay. (Photo Source: BCCI) Having missed out in Bengaluru with a shoulder injury, Vijay came back strong to score a well made 82 against the Aussies in Ranchi. He has been consistent in the opening slot and has laid a solid platform for the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara to come and score freely. His patience at the crease and brilliant performances has earned him the top BCCI contract. He will surely walk out to the middle with his partner KL Rahul to open in Dharamsala. Cheteshwar Pujara Cheteshwar Pujara. (Photo Source: BCCI) A man of few words, but one of many runs, Cheteshwar Pujara has been one of India’s most dependable players lately. His resilience against any bowling attack has been remarkable. Pujara’s sound technique and consistency at the No.3 position have earned him a place in the BCCI’s list of top contracted players. His marathon innings in Ranchi worth 202 runs saw him bat for 525 deliveries which lasted over 11 hours was a display of pure class and patience. Pujara will go into the final Test with great confidence. Virat Kohli (C) Virat Kohli celebrates with teammates. (Photo Source: BCCI) Although he hasn’t made an impact with the bat, Kohli has marshaled his troops intelligently in this series. His captaincy has been commendable and he has used his resources with great intent. The skipper of the Indian team though picked up an injury on Day 1 of the Ranchi Test. Kohli’s fitness has been uncertain, but India would surely want him to lead them. He is a threat to any opposition and can take the game away from them with a single inning. Ajinkya Rahane Ajinkya Rahane of India. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) Rahane has shown glimpses of his talent in this series. His crucial partnership with Pujara in India’s 2nd innings in Bengaluru proved to be a match-winning one, with Rahane contributing a patient 52 off 134 deliveries. In Rahane, the Indian team also has a brilliant fielder in the slip cordon. A crafty player of spin, the Mumbai-lad will look to dominate the Australian bowlers and get his eye in early in his innings. Karun Nair Karun Nair. (Photo Source: BCCI) The man who will be remembered for the triple century unless he eclipses his own performance with something even better Karun Nair will have a crucial role to play in the Indian team. After opting for five bowlers in the first Test, the team switched back to a six batsmen approach and for that to prove right Nair has to fire. He has had a cold series thus far, though he has looked comfortable at the crease, the shots have been fluents, he has got the starts but the runs column still reads- 26, 0 and 23. For him to seize a place in the team the code is simple – consistency. Wriddhiman Saha (wk) Wriddhiman Saha. (Photo Source: BCCI) It’s always tough to rise to prominence as a wicketkeeper in a country that still has MS Dhoni. But ever since Dhoni called it quits as far as Test cricket is concerned, Saha has done a laudable job behind the wickets for India. He also exhibited his batting talent in Ranchi, scoring a brilliant century to put India in a commanding position. In tandem with Pujara, the duo put on 199 runs for the seventh wicket. Ravichandran Ashwin Ravichandran Ashwin of India. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) India’s frontline spinner will look to trouble the Aussies as soon as he comes into bowl. Although the Dharamsala wicket may not offer so much turn, Ashwin will get bounce which will create problems for the visitors. Having picked up the dangerous David Warner on 9 occasions in Test matches, Ashwin will look to raise that number in the final Test. He hasn’t been at his best in the series thus far but the world No.2 Test bowler will want to end the home season on a high. A capable batsman with 4 centuries under his belt, Ashwin will try to make a contribution with the bat as well. Ravindra Jadeja Ravindra Jadeja. (Photo Source: BCCI) Currently, the world’s number 1 bowler in Tests, Ravindra Jadeja has shown exactly why he is one of the most dreaded spinners in the circuit today. His accuracy aided by rough patches on the wicket has troubled left-handers and right-handers alike. Jadeja contributes in the lower order those quick-fire fifties. He isn’t afraid of playing the big shots and backs himself more than ever now to get the runs. Along with Ashwin, the spin twins will hunt in pairs and look to put Australia on the back foot. Umesh Yadav Umesh Yadav. (Photo Source: BCCI) Pace, bounce and sheer hard work has made sure Umesh Yadav doesn’t miss out on a single game for India. Umesh has looked to bend his back and consistently deliver the effort ball in this series. On a wicket that didn’t offer much for the pacers, he picked up 4/32 against the Aussies in Pune in the first innings. He has also used his ability to reverse swing the ball, hence keeping the batsmen on their toes. Currently, one of India’s fastest bowlers, Umesh’s pace will be aided by the pitch at the HPCA stadium. He will certainly have a considerable impact on the outcome of the Dharamsala Test. Mohammed Shami Mohammed Shami. (Photo Source: BCCI) There has been much anticipation to see Mohammed Shami back in action at the international level. The conditions at Dharamsala are perfectly suited for this lethal fast bowler. Shami’s ability to swing the ball both ways will be effective on a track that offers pace and bounce. He was last seen in the Test arena in November last year when India took on England in the third Test held in Mohali. The speedster was the pick of the bowlers in the first innings of that game, bagging three wickets. His inclusion in the playing XI tomorrow will add a lot of firepower to the Indian bowling attack. Shami will look to bowl quick on the Dharamsala pitch and trouble the Australian top order early on.

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