England vs India 2018: India's predicted XI for the 4th Test

Middle Order

#2 Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c) and Ajinkya Rahane

Match defining partnership

When Pujara played the most un-Pujara like shot to hole out at deep square leg prior to Lunch on the first morning, it looked like nothing could go right for India's No 3 on this tour. But with India racking up a mammoth lead in the first innings, Pujara came in with a cushion during the second essay.

He batted with much more intent when he came out and raced past 20 in no time courtesy vintage drives off Adil Rashid before playing attritional cricket against the likes of Anderson and Woakes to get to a much-needed half-century. He may have missed out on a century but he'd done enough to retain his place in the middle-order for Southampton.

In at No.4 will be India's captain Virat Kohli. When faced with adversity, Kohli is at his menacing best. After under-par performances at Lord's the Indian captain came back with aplomb as he notched up 200 runs in the match; the 10th time he's done as a captain. His 97 in the first innings came at a time when India was reeling at 3-80.

He, along with Ajinkya Rahane, who returned to form with a pristine 81 in the first innings took India out of a precarious position with a 150 plus partnership.

Rahane coming into form would have buoyed Kohli and the team management. The Indian vice-captain looked at his fluent best in the first innings and at times outscored Kohli. He will once again be the bedrock of India's middle-order at Southampton.