England warned to expect a further trial by spin in fourth India Test

NICK HOWSON: Ajinkya Rahane expects a strong reaction from the tourists, despite qualification for the World Test Championship final and a series win being out of their grasp

Clear game plan and luck the recipe for batting success, says confident Zak Crawley

India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane has told England to expect another test of their abilities against spin during the fourth Test in Ahmedabad.

The pitches for the second and third Tests in Chennai and at the Narendra Modi Stadium turned early, with the tourists struggling to adapt.

It took just two days for India to claim victory in the third Test in the shortest long-form international match since 1935 as England were bundled out twice for 193, and familiar conditions are expected this week.

"The wicket will be similar," explained Rahane. "I think the third Test match and the second Test match we played in Chennai, it will be similar. It will be a spinning track. 

"The pink ball was coming much quicker off the wicket, compared to the red-ball and you had to make an adjustment. But I think the wicket will be similar to the last two Test matches."

He added: "The pitch looks pretty similar - I don't know how it is going to play. We'll have to wait and see."

Though a place in the World Test Championship final is out of their grasp and hopes of achieving a series win were extinguished by the 10-wicket loss in the third Test, a 2-2 draw would still be a valuable result for Joe Root and his side.

And as a result Rahane does not expect England to lose focus as they aim to prevent India from winning a 13th straight Test series in a row.

"We respect this England team, they are a very good team and balanced," said Virat Kohli's No.2

"We played good cricket in the last two Test matches, England played really well in the first.

"We're not taking them lightly, it is another Test match and we just want to go out there and give our best."

This preview is brought to you in association with Dafabet India. For more on Dafabet and to place a bet, click here