IND vs AUS: 4th Test Preview – Potential WTC finalists face off

India will host Australia for the fourth and final Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. After winning the first two games in Nagpur and Delhi, India lost the third Test in Indore by nine wickets. India can confirm their spot in World Test Championship final by winning this Test. India will then face Australia in the ultimate clash scheduled to take place from June 7 at The Oval.

Since Australia have a winning momentum, they are unlikely to make any changes. Steve Smith will continue to lead the side in Pat Cummins’ absence. On the other hand, India might look to rest Mohammed Siraj for the final game and bring Mohammed Shami back into the combination. The two sides will face each other in a three-match ODI series after the fourth Test, and Siraj will be a mainstay in the side.

As for Australia, Matthew Kuhnemann and Usman Khawaja have done well in the series so far and the former even registered a five-wicket haul in the previous Test. For India, the batting unit will have to step up and put up a memorable knock. As for the bowling side, the spin-bowling trio of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel has been doing brilliantly.

Pitch and conditions

The Narendra Modi Stadium’s pitches, like those at most other locations in the nation, have benefited spinners. With its extension and redevelopment in 2020, Axar Patel has excelled in his home ground, taking 20 wickets in two games, thus the bowlers will have an upper hand. There is a good chance that this contest will be over in three or four days.

Venue details: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

Last Test match at the venue: ENG: 205 & 135| IND: 365

Here’s the probable playing XI for India vs Australia clash:

India:

Team India might look to bring Mohammed Shami back into the pace attack. The Indian side will rely on spin-bowling all-rounders Ashwin, Jadeja, and Axar. The trio will be expected to make the most of Ahmedabad’s spin-friendly pitch.

Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Srikar Bharat (wk), Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami

Australia:

The Australian side is in good touch. Opener Usman Khawaja has successfully managed to put up worthy performances in the series. Marnus Labuschagne and stand-in skipper Steve Smith have not found the right momentum yet but would be looking to strike. Australia can then make the Indian side wait longer for a place in the WTC final.

Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith (c), Peter Handscomb, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy, Matthew Kuhnemann