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

“When the going gets tough, the tough get going” is what can define India’s performance in the 3rd Test at Trent Bridge. After the Lord's debacle, few would have put their money on India to make a comeback. Comeback they did, and in style.

Though the Test match crept into the fifth day, the result was always written on the wall. The 203-run win meant India stayed alive in the series. It is funny to see the atmosphere in both the teams’ dressing room change sides in a span of five days!

The Indian team will now march on to Southampton to draw level in the series. If the fourth match ends in India's favour, the fifth Test will act as a decider, which is what the Indian supporters as well as the cricket fans in general, want.

To win the fourth Test though, the Indians should once again bring their A-game to the front, and it starts with selecting the ideal playing eleven.

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Openers: Dhawan and Rahul

Dhawan gave a solid start in the 3rd Test

The reinstation of Shikar Dhawan at the top worked like a charm for India. He couldn’t manage a fifty, but he didn’t give his wicket away cheaply too. He wore down the seam of the new ball and made the life of the middle-order much easier. He didn’t give too many chances to the bowlers like he usually does in away conditions, which is a marked improvement in the ever-smiling southpaw.

Rahul manufactured a way to survive the toxic outswingers, but that gave rise to a by-product which even Rahul wouldn't have expected. His concentration is channeled almost entirely to outswingers that he now has become susceptible to LBW or bowled mode of dismissals.

Nevertheless, the opening pair scored 60 runs in both the innings, and Rahul enhanced his reputation as a slip fielder in the third match.

Middle-Order: Pujara, Kohli, and Rahane

Kohli has been scoring runs for fun in England

Pujara reminded his doubters of his friendly relation with patience. He ground a well-compiled 72 and seemed to be well on track to score his first hundred in England before he edged one to Cook. Pujara wouldn’t mind the 72, though.

The backbone of India's batting unit, Virat Kohli, breached the 200 run mark across the innings once again. He easily looks the best batsmen from both sides and makes you doubt if it was his imposter batting here in 2014.

Ajinkya Rahane’s drought with the bat finally ended with an 81-run shower. He looked confident, played shots with authority, and seemed like the Ajinkya Rahane of old. The game was solid in the second innings too before he fell prey to forced acceleration.

Wicket-keeper: Rishabh Pant

Pant looked good behind the wickets

The bloke who started his career with a six could do no wrong with the gloves and looked healthy with the bat. His energy behind the stumps seemed to rub on to the close-by fielders. However, he should always bat ahead of Pandya, which was not the case in the first innings.

All-Rounders: Pandya, Jadeja/Ashwin

Pandya was exceptional with both bat and ball in the 3rd Test

Hardik Pandya had a memorable game at Trent Bridge. After Michael Holding questioned his credentials as an all-rounder, the Baroda lad answered with both bat and ball. If not for Virat Kohli’s brilliance, Pandya would have pocketed the man-of-the-match award.

Jadeja’s chance to make an impact in the series now rests on Ashwin. India’s premier offie suffered a hip injury during the third Test. Though he bowled and ultimately sealed the game for India in the second innings, he never looked fully fit. If he fails to get the green signal from the doctors before the 3rd Test, then the CSK all-rounder will be his likely replacement.

Bowlers: Bumrah, Ishant, and Shami

Bumrah made an immediate mark on his return

Bumrah was never a swing bowler; and yet he has been effective in England. So effective that he accounted for 7 of England’s wickets in the match. Things could only go upward for the Mumbai Indians star.

In the bowling department, Ishant has been the hallmark of consistency in recent years. He is a serious threat to left-handers and also controls the leakage of runs, which spikes the wicket-taking probability for the bowlers operating from the other end.

Shami’s services weren’t required much in the 3rd Test. His effectiveness with the ball though, cannot be undermined for one second. The swing bowler was seen reversing the ball in the second innings and it took a courageous partnership between Stokes and Butler to see through the hazard.

If India does go with an unchanged squad, it will be noteworthy, since the number one batsman’s urge for change is well-documented.