As the Indian team was going about its paces early on during their training session on the eve of the fourth Test here on Wednesday morning, captain Virat Kohli must have experienced a feeling of joy coupled with frustration.

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At one of the four nets, Kohli saw KL Rahul take guard, ready to come back into the team after missing out on the previous Test due to a forearm injury. At the adjacent net to where Kohli was batting, the skipper saw Mohammed Shami walk back to the dressing room after hobbling around with a heavily-strapped knee for about 15 minutes. Sandwiched between those two was Ajinkya Rahane, who got smacked on his right index finger by a rising ball while facing throw-downs.

One frame, four nets, multiple changes.

First, Rahane will not take part in the fourth Test against England starting here on Thursday, being ruled out of the remainder of the series. Manish Pandey, who was busy playing for Karnataka against Maharashtra in the Ranji Trophy on Wednesday, has been flown in as replacement in the team.

Second, the injury-prone Shami looked anything but ready for the game, prompting the team management to bring in Mumbai pacer Shardul Thakur as back up. With Kohli stating after training that they didn't want to "push" the pacer too much, it's unlikely that the strike bowler will play on Thursday.

Third, it would mean Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who bowled extensively at the nets on Wednesday, would have a big chance to play, while one-Test young Karun Nair, on whom the axe would've fallen to accommodate Rahul, would get another shot at Test cricket at the expense of Rahane.

The changes will also provide a new look to the batting order. Kohli made it clear that the team's "specialist openers", Rahul and Murali Vijay, will bat where they belong, ending a long game of musical chairs at the top since the West Indies tour. It would push Parthiv Patel down the order, probably at No. 6 or 7. The southpaw, mind you, did a more than decent job opening the innings in the Mohali Test, scoring 42 and 67* to win India the match.

However, the diminutive wicketkeeper would know well the culture of the new Team India. Horses-for-courses is the name of the game, there are no fixed batting slots, and bowlers being picked irrespective of the conditions is as passé as the old Rs500 and Rs1,000 currency notes.

Kohli has captained India 20 times so far, and not once has he led the same 10 other players on to the field. Most of those changes have been due to injuries but some others have been made keeping variables like the conditions and pitch in mind. The trend for Kohli will continue here, with at least a couple of changes on the anvil.

It can get agonising for any captain to not have a settled combination but Kohli is of a different breed, if that wasn't established yet anyway.

"It's something we decided as a squad that we will look to do, because the priority is to win games," Kohli said on Wednesday about the constant changes in the playing XI. "It has been a mixed bag of people getting injured and we playing guys who we feel are suitable to play on that particular wicket, especially the bowlers.

"Injuries never feel nice but the forced changes have come off really well and that is something we are proud of. The guys have bought into it and made the job easier for me as well," he added.

The priority is sure being met. India are leading 2-0 in the series, and will come out fresh from a mini-break with the hunger to seal the series against England, who are facing a similar situation as the hosts.

On a Wankhede pitch that will have good bounce for the fast bowlers, England are fretting over the availability of injured strike bowler Stuart Broad, who sat out of the third Test. The visitors will also have another new opening pair, with captain Alastair Cook confirming that uncapped Keaton Jennings will replace the injured Haseeb Hameed and make his Test debut.

Both teams face similar problems leading into Thursday's Test. The difference, though, is that India have learnt the art of adjusting to it, while England haven't.

Rahane's wait gets longer 

The moment a rising delivery hit Ajinkya Rahane's finger on his right hand during training on Wednesday morning, his face immediately wore a grim look. He summoned the physio, even as an anxious KL Rahul looked on. After a brief chat, the crestfallen Mumbaikar walked back to the changing room in pain. He probably knew he wouldn't make it on Thursday. After a seemingly endless wait of 32 Tests, this was supposed to be his debut Test in Mumbai, in front of his loving home crowd. This was supposed to be the venue best suited for him to get back to his big-scoring ways. Unfortunately for him and the passionate Mumbai cricket fans, the wait will only get longer.

INDIA VS ENGLAND

4th Test, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

Chance for India to seal the deal

TEAM NEWS

India: KL Rahul will be back at the top while Ajinkya Rahane misses the Test due to injury. Karun Nair is likely to retain his place. Md Shami was hobbling at training with Bhuvneshwar Kumar being a likely starter.England: Alastair Cook confirmed Keaton Jennings will make his debut at the top of the order with him. Cook also said Stuart Broad, who missed the last Test, was "50-50" to start. It remains to be seen if they stick with Gareth Batty.

KEY CONTEST

KL Rahul vs James Anderson

Rahul will be itching to get back to the field, having an on and off season. A good knock after coming back into the side will do his and team's confidence a world of good. But facing Anderson up front with the new ball will be a bit tricky, especially on a track that would offer bounce for the pacers.HEAD TO HEAD: P: 115, India: 23, England: 43, Draw: 49

PITCH REPORT

The Wankhede track has traditionally been true and one with bounce. It should be much the same for this Test as well. The curator says spinners will come into play from the third day.

WEATHER REPORT

It's a bit hotter than usual during daytime at this time of the year. This could play a role in the deterioration of the pitch as well. No chances of rain whatsoever.

WHAT TO EXPECT

India are high on confidence after two back-to-back wins, and Virat Kohli asserted the long gap between Tests will do no harm to their momentum. England will seek a revival, but that will take some quality performance against this Indian team.

PUNTER POINT

India: 3/5, England 4/1, Draw: 77/19

WATCHABILITY QUOTIENT

9