India's predicted XI for the 4th Test against England

An entertaining red-ball series will draw to a close in Ahmedabad as India and England face off in the 4th Test.

Talk about the pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium has refused to die down, with players from both sides - apart from numerous experts - adding their pinch of salt to the pot. The wicket for the final Test is expected to favour the batsmen a bit more, since hosts India need only a draw to qualify for the final of the World Test Championship.

Here is India's predicted playing XI for the 4th Test against England.

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India's squad and predicted XI for the 4th Test vs England

India squad for the 4th Test: Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav

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Openers: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill needs to fire in the final Test

India's solid opening combination has largely been a one-man show this series. Rohit Sharma has been a class apart on difficult pitches to bat on, while his partner Shubman Gill has given his wicket away cheaply more often than not.

Rohit will look to cap off a superb series with a significant knock, and Gill needs a long innings as well to boost his confidence and repay the team management's evident faith in him.

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Middle Order: Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk)

India's middle order should bear a familiar look

India's middle order shouldn't see any changes. Cheteshwar Pujara hasn't had a series to remember, with misfortune and truly good deliveries ensuring that he hasn't spent too much time at the crease. He'll eye a three-figure score, which he hasn't made since the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Captain Virat Kohli is another man struggling to score hundreds, and this Test will present the final opportunity to do so in red-ball cricket for a while. Ajinkya Rahane, who recently brushed aside criticism of his poor home performances, also needs a substantial knock in the match.

Following the experienced trio will be Rishabh Pant, who managed only 1 run in the previous Test. He is in superb form both in front of and behind the stumps, and we might see him make the final Test of the series a memorable one.

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All-rounders: Ravichandran Ashwin, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel

Ravichandran Ashwin was outbowled by Axar Patel in the 3rd Test, but he has been spectacular

India's trio of spin-bowling all-rounders has been superb so far. Ravichandran Ashwin is the leading wicket-taker this series with 24 scalps, and has made his mark with the bat as well. Axar Patel has taken to Test cricket like a duck to water, with 3 5-wicket hauls in just 2 matches.

Washington Sundar hasn't had much to do in this series so far, and his place in the team is contested by Kuldeep Yadav. But India did look to shore up their batting in the last Test, and they should persist with the young off-spinner.

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Bowlers: Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav

Jasprit Bumrah will be a notable absentee in the final Test

Jasprit Bumrah was released from the Indian squad for the 4th Test due to personal reasons, and experienced speedster Umesh Yadav should take his place. Umesh has just recovered from an injury he suffered during the preceding Australia tour, and his superb record at home in the recent past will hold him in good stead.

If Ishant Sharma is rested for the final Test, Mohammed Siraj could feature. But the 100-Test veteran didn't have much bowling to do in the last game, and his legs should be able to withstand the rigours of another 5-day game.

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India's predicted XI for the 4th Test: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav