India's probable squad for last two Tests and predicted XI for 4th Test

After being 2-0 down in the series, India fought back with grit and determination to win their first match of the series. Having won the third Test comprehensively by 203 runs, India has now made the scoreline 2-1 in favor of England.

It was as an all-around performance from the Indian team as every player contributed in India's first win of the Test series. Having demolished England at Trent Bridge, the Indian team will now head to the picturesque The Rose Bowl in Southampton for the fourth Test which will be starting from 30th of August.

The selectors are yet to announce the Indian Test squad for the remainder of the series. After having taken some due notes from the performances of the first three Tests, the selectors are expected to make some changes to the squad for the last two Tests.

Thus, in this feature, we will be looking at India's probable squad for the remainder of the series and India's predicted XI for the fourth Test.

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Openers: Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul

England v India: Specsavers 3rd Test - Day Two

Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul seemed to have hit the right chord at the right time with some exuberant performances in the third Test. Although they both failed to convert their good starts into the fifties and hundreds, it was a sense of positivity that put them in commanding position in the course of the match.

Shikhar Dhawan started the series on a sorry note with a string of low scores in the first match. Consequently, he was left out from the playing for Lord's Test. However, Vijay's undoing performances saw Dhawan coming back to the XI for the third Test. Hence, aggregating 79 runs in the third Test, Dhawan did a fair job.

Although Rahul seems to have some problems with swing and pace, it would be too futile to drop Rahul for the remainder of the series and the fourth Test. Firstly, because, Rahul has a lot to offer on the plate and, secondly, Vijay has been on the downhill in the recent past.

Thus, India is least likely to tinker the opening combination for the fourth Test unless and until there are injury concerns.

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

England v India: Specsavers 3rd Test - Day Three

How good was Pujara in the third Test? Answer the question without considering that terrible pull shot. Well, mistakes are bound to happen. Barring that pull shot, Pujara had been outstanding in the third Test. Although Pujara wasn't able to rake up runs in the first innings, he did cover that up with a fine 72 in the second innings. Thus, Pujara is here to stay in the playing XI for the fourth Test.

Highest run-scorer in the series so far, Virat Kohli has finally buried the 2014 demons and has come out as the batsman to beat at this tour. After going 2-0 down in the series, Kohli has led the team from the front with an exceptional performance in the third Test. His 97 in first innings and brilliant 103 in the second innings handed India a commanding victory in the third Test. Thus, cometh the fourth Test, Kohli will be eager to double that up with a yet another match-winning performance.

Ajinkya Rahane shut down his critics with a glorious 81 in the first innings. It was Rahane's partnership with Kohli in the first innings that pushed India to a good total. Thus, with a technique that best suites Test cricket, Rahane will be India's key player in the fourth Test if Indian want to equal the series 2-2.

Wicket-keeper: Rishabh Pant

England v India: Specsavers 3rd Test - Day Two

Unquestionably, Pant had a sound debut if not the dream debut. With crucial 24 in the first innings and some subtle wicket-keeping, Pant surely looked a prospective player. Although Pant looked short on technique, he promises to improve and become a regular wicket-keeper for India in Tests.

Considering his satisfactory performances in the third Test, Pant is expected to retain his place in the playing XI for the fourth Test. Moreover, Karthik's sorry form has solidified Pant's inclusion in the playing XI.

All-rounders: Hardik Pandya and R Ashwin

England v India: Specsavers 3rd Test - Day Two

Oh boy! What a fiery spell it was from Hardik Pandya as he ran through the English bowling line-up. To add value to it, he came up with a good fifty in the second innings as well. Well, it was an all-round performance from the Barodian to shut down his critics.

I might sound too formal if I say that Pandya is expected to maintain his place in the playing XI for the fourth Test. So, rather than a prediction, Pandya's inclusion in the fourth Test would be a sure shot thing.

Ravichandran Ashwin has surely grown as an overseas bowler. Moreover, he has also enhanced his skills as a batsman who could come handy on any given day. However, Ashwin was underused in the third Test mainly because of the swinging conditions that were on offer in the course of the match.

Nevertheless, Ashwin is most likely to retain his place in the playing XI for the fourth Test as the sole the spinner. Although Ashwin failed to put up an impressive performance in the third Test, he deserves to be in the side considering the experience that he carries along with him.

Pace Bowlers: Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah

England v India: Specsavers 3rd Test - Day Four

One department that has fascinated the most at this tour is the Indian pace attack. With unerring lines and good levels of accuracy, the Indian pace wizards have presented themselves brilliantly in this series.

Ishant Sharma has been the key bowler for India at this tour. Having spearheaded the bowling attack for so many years, Ishant is expected to retain his place in the playing XI for the fourth Test. Moreover, a county experience has also helped the case for Ishant.

Much like Ishant, Mohammed Shami has also become a regular member in the Indian Test line-up. Besides, he has performed explicitly well in this series. With decent performances in the last three Tests, he is least likely to get the axing for the fourth Test.

Jasprit Bumrah made a decent comeback to the Indian Test team after having missed the first two Tests due to an injury to his non-bowling hand. A five-for from Bumrah in the second innings helped India to close the match without any fuss. Thus, no questions asked, Bumrah is most likely to maintain his place in the playing XI for the fourth Test.

Reserves: Karun Nair, Prithvi Shaw, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Umesh Yadav

England v India: Specsavers 1st Test - Day Five

One man whose place in the squad remains uncertain is Karun Nair. Although Nair's odds of getting released are too high, India might get longer with Nair given his exploits as a batsman, in case India needs one for the last two Tests.

Prithvi Shaw, the young lad from Mumbai, can be a prospective inclusion to the Indian squad for the last two Tests. With Vijay struggling to get going, Shaw might well get his first Test call-up for India. Although it might seem too early for India to include Shaw in the squad, his exploits as a batsman call for the counter argument.

Ravindra Jadeja is yet to play a match in this series. But given his ventures as an able all-rounder, he proves to be an equally strong option as any other player in the playing XI. Thus, Jadeja is expected to continue in the squad for the remainder of the series as well.

Although Kuldeep Yadav failed to contribute in the Lord's Test, he is too good a player to be dropped from the squad. Thus, cometh the last two Tests, Kuldeep will be a part of the squad.

To be fair enough, Umesh Yadav has been an equally tempting option as any other bowler in the squad. However, he has failed to retain his place in the playing for the previous two Tests. Nevertheless, he is set to maintain his place in the squad for last two Tests.

Full squad for India for last two Tests: Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (C), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (WK), Hardik Pandya, Ravichandran Ashwin, Md. Shami, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Karun Nair, Prithvi Shaw, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Umesh Yadav.

India's Predicted XI for 4th Test: Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (C), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (WK), Hardik Pandya, Ravichandran Ashwin, Md. Shami, Ishant Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah.