Eng vs Ind, 4th Test: India's probable playing XI

India goes into the fourth Test at the back of a resounding victory at Trent Bridge. They came up with a clinical performance in all the three departments to thrash the hosts by 203 runs. English got a taste of their own medicine when they were rattled by the spectacular display of pace and swing bowling by the Indian pacers.

At Southampton, India would look to level the series by registering another win. There have been a couple of changes in the Indian squad for the final two Tests. The promising prodigy, Prthivi has replaced the incumbent Vijay. Hanuma Vihari, an exciting middle-order batsman comes in place of Kuldeep Yadav. Its highly unlikely that either of them would get a game in the series.

Lets us have a look at the probable playing eleven for the 4th Test.

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KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan

Dhawan had a good outing at Trent Bridge

Dhawan and Rahul provided a splendid start in either innings of the third Test. They saw off the new ball without losing a wicket which provided an able platform for the middle-order to build their innings.

Dhawan was a changed batsman in the match as he was playing the ball closer to the body. He played some exquisite cover drives and was a treat to watch. The left-hander would look to carry this momentum in the fourth Test and once again provide an explosive start to the Indian innings.

Rahul was at his attacking best in the match and provided an able support to Dhawan upfront. Besides his batting, he was terrific in the second slip as well wherein he held on to seven catches.

Cheteshwar Pujara

Pujara looked in good nick

Pujara played a horrendous shot to get dismissed in the first innings at Trent Bridge. He made up for it in the second innings by making a useful 72 runs and was involved in a 100 plus partnership with the Indian captain.

Pujara has drawn a lot of flak for his defensive style of batting. His style of batting may look ugly and boring but he provides stability to the middle order. He has the patience to stay on the crease and play long innings. This makes him a vital cog in the Indian batting line up.

Virat Kohli

King Kohli already has amassed over 400 runs in the series

Captain Kohli has been in supreme form and has already amassed over 400 runs in the series. His unblemished technique is something which makes him one of the best. Not surprisingly, he has moved to numero uno position in the Test rankings.

Ajinkya Rahane

Rahane played really well at Trent Bridge

Rahane was involved in a vital 159 runs partnership with Kohli in the first innings of the third Test which set up the match for India. The vice-captain looked in superb nick all throughout his innings of 81 runs. He went after the pacers and was striking the ball really well.

Rahane's return to form is good news for Indian fans.

Hardik Pandya

Pandya bowled a hostile spell at Trent Bridge

Pandya bowled a hostile spell of out-swing bowling in the first innings of the third Test and accounted for five English batsmen in just six overs. In the second innings when India was looking to declare, he hit a quickfire 50 runs.

Owing to his exemplary performance with both bat and ball, Pandya is now looked upon as a genuine all-rounder. Moreover, in the last 5 overseas Tests, he averages more than other Indian batsmen except Kohli.

Rishabh Pant

Pant opened his account with a six in test cricket

Pant announced his arrival in Test cricket with a massive six of the only second ball he faced in Test cricket. This young lad from Delhi is a fierce striker of the cricket ball and can be a useful lower middle-order batsman.

Pant had a good outing behind the stumps in his debut Test. He grabbed seven catches which accentuates his comfort level in English conditions.

Ravi Ashwin

Ashwin would be the key on the dry wicket of Southampton

In 2014, when the two sides met at Ageas Bowl, Moeen Ali was the wrecker-in-chief with his off break. He accounted for six wickets in India's second innings.

The pitch at Southampton this time around looks no different and is expected to aid spin bowling. Ashwin should be the lone spinner in the team so he will play a vital role.

India will hope he recovers in time from his hip injury for the fourth Test.

Bumrah, Ishant, Shami

Bumrah would look to replicate his performance of the third test

Bumrah, Ishant and Shami will form the 3-prone pace attack.

Bumrah has troubled the English batsmen with his ball moving away. Though he has featured in only 4 Tests for India, he already has 2 fifers against his name. This speaks volumes about this lad who was once touted as a bowler best suited for the shorter format.

Shami has been a seasoned campaigner for India. His ability to move both the new and old ball makes him a captain's delight.

Ishant has been a late bloomer in Tests. His slight change in wrist action while delivering the ball has worked wonders for him in the current series. He has accounted for a number of English wickets, especially the left-handers with the balling straightening after pitching.