IND vs ENG 2021: 3 Indian players who may be benched for the 4th Test

After a humbling defeat in the third Test against England, India are sure to ring in the changes as they head to The Oval for the fourth Test starting September 2.

India lost the third Test at Headingley by an innings and 76 runs as a woeful batting effort in the first innings put them behind right from Day 1.

There has been speculation that pacer Ishant Sharma could be one of the bowlers who might have to warm the bench.

This was set off by skipper Virat Kohli's comments, where he spoke about shuffling the bowling attack so as not to push an individual beyond his limits.

While the team gears up for the fourth Test and hopes for a better outing, we speculate on the three players who may be forced to sit out the game.

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#1 Ishant Sharma

Ishant Sharma had a disappointing outing in the third Test. The veteran pacer lacked incisiveness and sprayed the ball around. He went wicketless, conceding 92 runs from his 22 overs in the match.

India have backup options in Umesh Yadav, another seasoned campaigner, and all-rounder Shardul Thakur.

While Ishant Sharma has just five wickets from two matches in the series, at an average of 34.80, his fellow pacers have all performed better.

Mohammad Shami (11 wickets), Jasprit Bumrah (13) and Mohammed Siraj (13) have all been amongst the wickets. And India’s search for another effective quickie to complete the quartet could see Sharma being replaced at The Oval.

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#2 Ajinkya Rahane

India's vice-captain has been woefully out of form and the gritty 61 in the second innings of the second Test at Lord's seems like a flash in the pan.

In five innings this series, the Mumbai batter has managed just 95 runs at an average of 19.00.

If India do bench Rahane, Hanuma Vihari could be considered in his place. Slotting KL Rahul down the order and bringing opener Mayank Agarwal back in the mix is also an option.

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#3 Ravindra Jadeja

If the injury to Ravindra Jadeja requires him to take a break, then Ravichandran Ashwin becomes the automatic choice for spinner.

The all-rounder suffered a knee injury on the second day at Headingley after a fielding effort on the ropes. He was later taken to hospital for precautionary scans.

Ashwin is yet to play a single Test in the series and if Jadeja's recovery takes time, he will be suiting up with the rest of the team on September 2.