England vs India: 4th Test Match Prediction, September 2, 2021, India Tour of England

Match Predictions and Betting Odds

England and India are in the midst of one of the best Test series played in recent times. A humdinger at Lord’s saw India go 1-0 up and it looked like they would maintain a lead in the series and end up winning it until the tables turned dramatically at Headingley when England fought back spectacularly to win by an innings and 76 runs and level the series.

Going into the fourth Test of the series, India have lost considerable momentum and England, buoyed by the return of a couple of injured personnel, appears set to make their surge in form count. James Anderson and Ollie Robinson are in the form of their lives and the whole fast bowling core against a suspect Indian batting line-up appears one-sided.

That India’s bowling has stood up miraculously is part of the reason why we are talking of the series still being fairly balanced. England’s vulnerable batting has gained some cushion recently with Joe Root’s incredible form – he has 507 runs at an average of 126.75 this series – and the changes at the top of the batting order.

That in itself has tilted the balance of this series, even if only slightly, England’s way. India’s chances of pulling off another Test win, let alone win the series, looks far-fetched as it stands.

A lot of it could depend on whether they can turn it around with a better team and in Ravichandran Ashwin, who is expected to come in for the fourth Test, India might just have their match-winner. The off-spinner is yet to play a Test in the series and is the No.2 ranked bowler in the ICC rankings in Test cricket.

Ashwin alone might not be able to win India a Test, but it certainly improves their chances of doing so against an England side that has gained more strength as the series has progressed.

Summary

In the last eight Tests in England against England, India have lost five, won twice and one game was a draw. Including the World Test Championship final, India have suffered two losses in English soil on this trip. England, on the other hand, haven’t been in great form either with their first win at home in the summer coming in the Leeds Test.