India eye series in England’s lucky venue
FOURTH TEST Hosts would hope to end visitors’ winning run at Wankhede
MUMBAI:Resuming their rivalry after a short break, an inspired India will look to deliver the knock-out blow on England in the fourth Test starting at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.
After a slow start in the first Test at Rajkot, Virat Kohli’s men have gradually become an unstoppable force and a fifth straight series win beckons for the hosts. Down 2-0 after three games, the pressure will be on England to win and keep the contest alive in the five-Test rubber.
Although Indian spinners are expected to dominate, England have won the last two Tests at the Wankhede -- in 2006 and 2012.
Since Kohli took over as fulltime captain, India have won all their full series. Their record is 12 wins in 17 matches, including these three Tests against England.
After the mauling at Mohali, most of the England players travelled to Dubai during the eight-day break. Even if that purpose was achieved for some, the look of the Wankhede track must have dampened their spirits. It doesn’t look any different from Visakhapatnam and Mohali, and is expected to assist spinners more.
Though this season the Wankhede wicket has been full of runs, spinners have dominated Tests in the last 20 years. Skipper Alastair Cook will need no reminding. In their last Test here, in 2012, England won on the back of rich heists by spin pair Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar.
Under instructions from the Indian team management, the curator has made every effort to provide a dry surface for R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Jayant Yadav. On Wednesday evening, the groundsmen were seen vigorously scrubbing off whatever grass remained.
With Stuart Broad, who sat out the Mohali game due to a leg problem, bowling well in the nets, England are said to be toying with the idea of fielding a four-man pace attack. But Cook and coach Trevor Bayliss will have to consider the dismal record of pacers here – no fast bowler has picked a five-wicket haul in the last nine Tests.
Most other changes in the series have been forced upon both the sides, with Ajinkya Rahane joining the injury list. He has been ruled out of the last two games. It means Karun Nair will remain in the playing XI. One positive for the home team will be the availability of first-choice opener KL Rahul. It means after long, India will have a settled opening pair in Murali Vijay and Rahul.
However, India are sweating over the fitness of pace spearhead Mohammed Shami. If the fast bowler, nursing a sore knee, is unavailable, it will affect the balance of the bowling attack.