There is plenty to play for in the Test series between India and England that is currently tied at 1-1. With the fourth Test beginning from September 2, the visitors could be looking to make a few changes to their XI after the innings defeat at Headingley.

A number of questions are in front of India ahead of the next match: should they get in Ravichandran Ashwin for a quick or drop Ajinkya Rahane? Should an extra batsman be added to the line-up, or should India go in with the same side that had defeated England at Lord’s earlier?

Four Wisden.com writers share their preferred India XI for the fourth Test.

Ben Gardner, Wisden.com managing editor

Ravichandran Ashwin in, Ishant Sharma out
Hanuma Vihari in, Ajinkya Rahane out

Hopefully, India always had their premier spin bowler inked in to play at The Oval. It was here, in a short-and-sweet County Championship stint, that R Ashwin tore Somerset to shreds, albeit on a pitch purpose-prepared for him. The Oval has a deserved reputation as one of the country’s flatter wickets, and so a twirler who can bowl all day and keep it tight is a must, and India should by now be warned against fielding a tail of four No.11s. For me, Ishant Sharma misses out after a wayward showing at Trent Bridge, though if the team management feel his off-day was an easily corrected aberration, then it’s likely Mohammed Siraj who should miss out.

With the series on the line, India should twist rather than stick on their No.5. Ajinkya Rahane’s second-innings 61 at Lord’s is his only score above 20 this series, and while an improved overall batting display in the second dig at Trent Bridge will offer hope that their vice-captain can be retained without harming their chances, the stakes are too high for any caution. Chances for away series wins don’t come around often, and defeat in London will see another slip through Virat Kohli’s fingers. A second-new-ball blunter with an obscene first-class average and a point to prove could be the final piece in a batting order jigsaw that’s finally showing signs of fitting together.

Aadya Sharma, Wisden India editor

Ravichandran Ashwin in, Ishant Sharma out

There’s enough being said about Ajinkya Rahane already, and I’m tempted at some level to replace him with Hanuma Vihari, but the series scoreline is precariously poised, and it’s probably not the best time for a change as drastic as this. What I would definitely like, though, would be to hand Ishant Sharma a break, and bring in R Ashwin to make the bowling attack more penetrative.

The surface at The Oval is likely to assist spin, and while Virat Kohli looks keen on sticking to his pace template, R Ashwin’s recent improvement as an overseas spinner and his ability to prise out wickets against the run of play could really help India’s chances of making a comeback in the series. Also, it adds another layer of cushion to the batting, given how inconsistent the lower order has been on the whole.

Sarah Waris, Wisden India staff writer

Ravichandran Ashwin in, Ishant Sharma out
Mayank Agarwal in, Ajinkya Rahane out

While the calls to include R Ashwin are growing louder with every day — and rightly so — I would want India to make another change and get Mayank at the top, with KL Rahul batting lower down the order. It might not be the wisest to change a successful opening combination, but India’s nemesis thus far has been the second new ball, and it might not be the worst idea to have Rahul negotiate that in the second half of the innings.

Mayank has done well as an opener in the past and has partnered with Rohit too previously, so I’d like to see how that combination fares in England. There are talks of dropping Rahane, but for what it’s worth, he did score crucial runs at Lord’s, and I don’t think the side should make such drastic changes with the series on the line.

Rohit Sankar, Wisden India staff writer

Ravichandran Ashwin in, Ishant Sharma out
Hanuma Vihari in, Ajinkya Rahane out

India ought to make a couple of changes in my opinion. Ishant Sharma looked off-colour in the last Test and could do with a break, particularly as he came into this series with an injury. Ashwin should get in either way. The off-spinner is likely to find good purchase at The Oval and with England batting looking increasingly comfortable in the old-ball phase, India ought to turn to Ashwin.

Rahane has had a dry run for far too long, and India’s issues with the second new ball make me think they need a top-order batsman, who can consolidate, and bat a bit of time if needed in the lower middle-order. Vihari brings in that option. I’d also be flexible with Pant’s batting position, with him ideally coming in before the second new ball or after it has lost its sheen.