Free betting tips: England v India fourth Test preview by Richard Mann

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2pts India to win the series at 5/1

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Whoever said that a week is a long time in sport is dead right.

Heading to Trent Bridge for the third Test, Joe Root and his England side would have had every confidence they were about to wrap up the series and see India roll over just as they had done so weakly at Lord's a few days earlier.

However, in the space of a couple of hours - or the afternoon session on Sunday to be more precise - the series was turned on its head thanks to a maiden five-wicket haul in Tests for Hardik Pandya and some ordinary batting from an England line-up again showing a distinct lack of skill and application when conditions require just that.

With Indian captain Virat Kohli once again dominating with the bat - making 97 in the first innings and 103 second time around - England were set an improbable 521 to win in just over two days.

Despite a brilliant 106 from Jos Buttler and a resilient 62 from Ben Stokes, England were never really in the hunt as Jasprit Bumrah marked his return from injury by picking up five wickets to reduce his side's arrears in the series to 2-1.

While it was India who looked bereft of confidence at Lord's, lacking in proper planning and handicapped by poor selection, England were the ones found wanting in all departments at Trent Bridge.

James Anderson and Stuart Broad were again impressive throughout - Anderson in particular on the third morning - but both were let down by some poor catching once more while the omission of Sam Curran for the returning Ben Stokes left England's attack in a similar position as it was in the winter - short on variety and, of course, genuine pace.

It was significant that all three of India's front-line seamers were quicker throughout the match than England's pacemen and though Anderson is always able to compensate with immaculate control and his ability to move the move the ball sideways, his bowling colleagues don't have that luxury.

Adil Rashid's return as the number one spinner hasn't been a disaster but it seems apparent that Joe Root doesn't have the same confidence in him as limited-overs skipper Eoin Morgan and one suspects that Rashid feels that way too. He wasn't at his best at Trent Bridge but still has the ability to pick up crucial wickets, as his second innings dismissal of Shikhar Dhawan demonstrated.

It's England's batting that will be of greater concern to Root, though, and the continued struggles of Alistair Cook and Keaton Jennings have the vultures circling again.

Furthermore, a fractured finger sustained while keeping casts serious doubt over Jonny Bairstow's availability - or at least in what capacity - for Thursday's crucial encounter.

James Vince has been recalled as cover but Ollie Pope has yet to fully convince since coming into the side and one has to wonder whether England's decision to select the 20-year-old, and then bat him out of position, was made in the best long-term interests of the player. One hopes he is strong enough to come through this because it is evident that he is a fine prospect.

Vince has enjoyed a terrific summer for Hampshire in all forms of the game and regardless of Bairstow's position, England might be minded to recall the classy right-hander for a Test match on his home ground.

Arguably harshly treated when axed following the winter tour Down Under when taking on the likes of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, Vince made 76 in his last Test match innings in New Zealand and would have hoped for more rope from the selectors after his winter's toil.

While he didn't manage the big hundred that is still missing from his international career, 242 Ashes runs at an average of 26.88 are hardly disastrous numbers and he has made 847 runs at an average at 56.46 in Division One of the County Championship this year. Vince is the outstanding batsman in county cricket right now and would surely strengthen England's fragile top order.

For India, Kohli's incredible form remains key to their chances but the rest of the batting line-up served notice in Nottingham that they are beginning to find their feet in foreign conditions.

Lokesh Rahul is an immense talent and returns of 23 and 36 at Trent Bridge were definite steps in the right direction for him while more significantly, Cheteshwar Pujara signalled his revival following a spell in doldrums with 76 in the seconds innings. If he can bat long, it generally follows that his more flamboyant colleagues will cash in against opposition bowling attacks that have been ground down by the immovable Pujara.

Runs for Ajinkya Rahane and Pandya were welcome, too, while there was a promising debut behind the stumps for Rishabh Pant.

With their bowling proving highly effective throughout the summer, India were finally able to produce the complete performance in Nottingham and though it is England who lead the five-match series 2-1, you get the sense that the visitors have grabbed the momentum.

The Ageas Bowl is generally a fair wicket which offers something for everyone and if India are able to withstand another swing examination from Anderson and Broad, they have the tools to put up another bold show ahead of the series finale at the Kia Oval.

A wicket that generally spins and can assist reverse swing, India would fancy their chances strongly there if able to return to London with the series all square.

The way England are shaping up, that certainly isn't out of the realms of possibility and as such, I can't resist backing the rejuvenated tourists to pull off a spectacular comeback and win the series.

The 5/1 about that happening could look very big in a week's time.

Posted at 1510 BST on 27/08/18.

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