England vs India, 2018: 3 players who could replace Ashwin for 4th Test if he fails to recover

After going 2-0 down in the series, India made a stunning comeback in the third Test beating the hosts by 203 runs to make a come back in the series.

It was as an all-around display from the Indian team as every player chipped in for India's first win of the Test series. Having obliterated England at Trent Bridge, the Indian team will now make their way to the beautiful Rose Bowl (Ageas Bowl) in Southampton for the fourth Test which will be starting from the 30th of August.

Although the Indian team performed exceptionally well in the third Test, there is an injury concern looming large before the start of the fourth Test. It is Ravichandran Ashwin's groin injury that is bothering Virat Kohli and the team management. Ashwin injured his groin during the third Test.

If reports are to be believed, a final call over his participation in the next Test will be taken only once the team starts practising for the fourth Test. Thus, if the Chennai man fails to recover in time, it will come as a huge blow for the Indian team as they will miss their leading spinner as well as a decent batsman.

Hence, let us look at the three prospective players who could replace Ashwin for the fourth Test if the Chennai all-rounder fails to make the cut for the fourth Test:

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#1 Ravindra Jadeja

Jadeja would be the most obvious replacement

One player who more or less naturally fit in as Ashwin's replacement is Ravindra Jadeja. He has been India's premier bowler along with Ashwin in the Indian sub-continent. With an ability to bowl long spells and accurate line & lengths, Jadeja calls as a perfect replacement for Ashwin in the fourth Test at the Rose (Ageas) Bowl in Southampton.

Besides his bowling, Jadeja has also proved to be a decent batsman who could bat through the grimmest conditions. The left-arm orthodox from Saurashtra has made some important contributions with the bat for the Indian team in the past.

Moreover, with India already settled with a combination of 3+1, that is, three frontline pacers and one spinner, it is highly likely that Jadeja will replace the Chennai man if he fails to recover from the injury.

In addition to that, Jadeja's inclusion will unquestionably confer diversity to the Indian bowling attack and on the same line strengthen the batting line-up.

#2 Umesh Yadav

India could opt for Umesh, making the bowling line-up more one dimensional

Another variety that team India could consider as Ashwin's replacement, is the addition of another pace bowler. Although both Shardul and Umesh fall in the scheme of things, it is most likely that Umesh will make the cut if India wants to replace Ashwin with a pacer.

By choosing Shardul over Umesh, the Indians would not like to jeopardize themselves with a bowler who has not proved himself in the longer format of the game. Undoubtedly, Shardul is nothing short of a great talent, but Umesh merits a place in the Indian setup after having performed regularly over the years.

Moreover, Yadav's ability to bowl at high speeds and his expertise to get the red cherry move in the air makes him a decent replacement for Ashwin if the Chennai off-spinner sits out of the fourth Test.

#3 Karun Nair/Hanuma Vihari

An extra batsman could be an option

With India settled in a three plus one option, that is three pacers plus one all-rounder, Ashwin's reported injury could also bring an extra batsman in the Indian batting line-up. An added batsman would not only strengthen the Indian middle-order but also add to the depth of India batting line-up with an all-rounder by the name of Hardik Pandya still to come.

Two batsmen who fall in this category are Hanuma Vihari and Karun Nair. Vihari and Nair both call for a good option to replace Ashwin as the middle-order batsman.

In this series, Ashwin has fared as a decent all-rounder for the Indian team, with good contributions down the order. Hence, the case of a batsman replacing Ashwin for the fourth Test is not as bad as it seems.

Thus, come the fourth Test, India might well amend the Indian batting line-up with any one of the two above-mentioned batting prospects.

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Who do you think will make the cut if Ashwin fails to recover for the fourth Test? Sound off your opinions in the comments section below!