England vs India, 2018: India's Predicted XI for 5th Test

What a Test series it has been? Barring the Lord's Test, every match has been a hard-fought affair. After winning the third Test at Trent Bridge, India began the fourth Test with a lot of confidence and intent. However, it was England who held their nerves to finish as the winning side in the fourth Test.

Once again the problem of finishing the game in the fourth innings became the villain for India in the fourth Test. Although 245 was too big a target to achieve, India was right back in the game, after losing three early wickets, with the help of a fantastic partnership between Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli. But, Kohli's wicket opened the gates for England as they hurried onto the Indian middle-order in no time.

India will now move to Kennington Oval in London for the last match in the straw. India will be short on confidence while moving to the fifth Test. However, the Indian team will look to end the series on a high.

India might make some changes for the fifth Test. Thus, let us look at India's probable XI for the fifth and last Test of the series.

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#1 Openers: Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan has had some good starts in the series but he has failed to capitalize on it

The opening combination has had been the fish-bone for both the teams at this tour. None of the openers (England and India) have been able to rake up runs in this tour. Moreover, after a sorry performance from the Indian openers, a change in the opening combination is quite inevitable for India in the fifth Test.

The Indian batting prodigy from Mumbai, Prithvi Shaw, is expected to get his first international game in the fifth Test against England after a dismal show by KL Rahul in the fourth Test. Shaw has been exceptional in the recent scheme of things. Hence, in Shaw, India might look to end their opening woes in the fifth Test. Nevertheless, the only hard decision between Shaw and KL would be the slip catching of the latter.

Meanwhile, the case of Shikhar Dhawan hasn't been any different. Dhawan has also struggled to convert his blistering starts into big scores. However, he hasn't been short of intent which has helped him run on to good starts. Thus, with umpteen abilities up his sleeve, Dhawan is least likely to get axed for the fifth Test.

#2 Middle-Order: Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (C), and Ajinkya Rahane

Cheteshwar Pujara raked up a brilliant century in the fourth Test

Cheteshwar Pujara came up with an exceptional hundred in the fourth Test which made him only the second batsman after Kohli to hit a century in this series. Pujara's fantastic knock in the fourth Test helped India attain a lead over England. Hence, with good form on his side, Pujara is set to play in the No.3 position in the fifth Test as well.

At number 4 would be Joe Root's counterpart, Kohli. The highest run-getter in the series so far, Kohli has finally silenced the evils of the 2014 tour. Thus far, Kohli has been the driver of India's batting line-up in this series. As always, Kohli will turn out to be India's key player in the fifth Test as well.

Ajinkya Rahane, the crisis man of India, has had a decent series so far. Although he hasn't been able to rake up big scores, he has had those odd double-digit scores which have been vital for India in the course of this series. Thus, Rahane is set to maintain his place in the playing XI for the fifth Test.

#3 Wicket-keeper: Rishabh Pant

Pant has shown some promise in the series

Rishabh Pant made a decent debut in the third Test. However, he failed to emulate the same in the fourth Test where he scored a duck in the first innings and 18 runs in the second innings. Although he showed some intent in the second innings where he replicated his positive brand of cricket, it was not enough for India in the lower middle-order.

Nevertheless, given his credentials, Pant is expected to be given a longer run in the Indian Test team. Thus, it seems quite apparent that Pant will feature in the fifth Test as well.

#4 All-rounders: Hardik Pandya and Ravichandran Ashwin

Pandya had a forgetful fourth Test

Both all-rounders, Ravichandran Ashwin and Hardik Pandya, had a mediocre fourth Test. Pandya failed to replicate his third Test heroics in the fourth Test. Meanwhile, Ashwin did show some fighting spirit in the second innings with a good batting hand. But, he failed to make the difference with his bowling.

Ashwin has undoubtedly improved as an overseas bowler. Moreover, he has also intensified his skills as a batsman who could come handy on any given day. Thus, he is expected to retain his place in the playing XI for the fifth Test as well.

On the other hand, the same has been the story for Hardik Pandya who failed to emulate his exploits from the third game in the fourth Test. However, as Harsha Bhogle says Hardik has the knack of making things happen when he is around and he will unquestionably prove to be a prospect for India in the last Test. Hence, his place in the playing XI seems certain.

#5 Pacers: Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, and Jasprit Bumrah

Mohammed Shami was in fiery form in the fourth Test

Indian pacers have come out as the biggest plus in the series. With unerring lines, the pacers have applied themselves smartly in this series so far. Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Shami have complimented one another very well in this series.

Ishant Sharma, with 15 wickets, has been the highest wicket-taker for India in this series so far. Thus, Ishant is least likely to be excluded from the playing XI for the fifth Test after having performed brilliantly.

Meanwhile, Shami had been blowing hot and cold in the series until the fourth Test where he bagged four wickets in the second innings. Hence, with Shami in a good rhythm, he is expected to feature in the playing XI for the fifth Test as well.

Jasprit Bumrah made a solid comeback to the Indian team after having missed the first two Tests due to an injury to his non-bowling hand. Besides, he also had a decent fourth Test where he scalped four wickets. Thus, Bumrah is here to stay in the playing XI for the fifth Test.