Five things England need to change to draw level in the series

An all-round team effort saw India go 2-0 up in the series as England, who started the series on a bright note, seem to have lost their motivation to win. A lacklustre display at Mohali, despite getting to win the toss and bat first, sprung back memories of England's disastrous Bangladesh tour prior to this series.

The visitors had been guilty of letting the game flow in Vizag but here, they seemed to run out of answers against the Ashwin and Jadeja duo even when they held the willow in hand.

It seemed like a balanced game when India floundered their chance with the bat after bowling out England for 283 on a good batting track. But from 204/6, Indian spinners Ashwin, Jadeja and Jayant Yadav took India to a formidable, if not imposing, 417. The lead turned out to be a significant one and sealed England's fate.

It is surprising that the vigour and energy the visitors showed to destroy India's top order, vanished as soon as Ashwin and Jadeja got together. It seemed that England were lured into a spell by the Indian spinners, so much so that the mere sight of them is enough to bring jitters to the English camp.

England head out to Mumbai and Chennai next for the fourth and fifth Test, knowing that India have an unassailable lead in the series. But can the visitors turn things around and level the series?

Here is a look at some of the things that England have to do to regain a hold in the series.

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#5 Build partnerships and fight

Several times in the series, England have found themselves having just one player scoring big, while the rest have faded off. Interestingly, Cook, Root, Moeen Ali, Hameed, Stokes and Bairstow have had one good knock at one time or the other in the series.

But, except at Rajkot, none of them have clicked in tandem to create worries in the Indian camp. In Mohali, they had Bairstow in the first innings and Joe Root in the second playing superb individual innings respectively, but sadly neither got any support from their teammates and the lack of partnerships eventually led to their dismissal.

If England need to win or at least draw a match in this series, they need to bat well and bat in pairs. Unless and until they get some big partnerships going, they will not have India panicking.

#4 Replacing Haseeb Hameed

Hameed showed resilience even with a broken finger

England came into the series unsure of their opening partner for Cook. But they found a gem in the young Haseeb Hameed, who has shown impeccable judgement while playing pace and spin.

His finger injury has put England in a spot of bother. They need to find a replacement and quickly. England opened with Root in the second innings in Mohali and that may need to continue unless they bring in Ballance, the only other batting option apart from Duckett, who is definitely not in the plans.

They can bring in a replacement opener like Tom Westley. But England would be better off bringing a good player of spin. Sam Billings is a good option as he has played IPL in India before and with success. He is one of the better players of spin in the country and could come in the middle order with Root continuing to open.

#3 Utilising Jos Buttler

Buttler scored 43 in his first innings at Mohali

Buttler isn't the ideal red ball cricketer England need right now. But what he can do is play an Adam Gilchrist type role by coming in at no.7. Many teams have had successful wicket keeper batsman playing at no.7 in recent times. Quinton de Kock, who revelled in that role in the recent series against Australia is a huge example as is ex-Indian Test skipper, MS Dhoni.

England, however need to find a way to give Buttler the freedom to bat in his own carefree manner. For that, the tempo has to be set at the top of the order. With Stokes as well coming in at 6, England have a firecracker of a lower middle order that can hurt the opposition badly.

Buttler is a dangerous batsman and has shown that umpteen times in limited-overs cricket. Here he has an opportunity to do that in the Test team. He doesn't have the burden of the keeping gloves as Bairstow is doing a pretty good job. This gives him ample time to concentrate on his batting. He could be one big pocket-sized rocket for England if he clicks and they badly need him to.

#4 Tackling Ravichandran Ashwin and Virat Kohli

Ashwin has tormented the English batsmen in the series

Ashwin has been England's nemesis in the series, with ball and bat. He seems to turn up each day to either score a half-century or take a fifer. Such has been Ashwin's influence in the line-up that England seem lost when he is in the thick of things.

His batting has overshadowed the failures of Rahane and Vijay and India have never felt a batsman short. His bowling has been good but not unplayable. England need to find their dancing shoes and instead of attacking him, find a way to deny him wickets.

Virat Kohli is India's leader and leads the team from the front. The level of confidence, agility and physical intensity he has brought to this Test side is beyond value. If England are to win, they need to tie down Virat Kohli.

#1 Stick to their quick bowlers

Moeen Ali was underbowled in the previous Test match

Often in the series, England have found themselves having an extra spinner who hasn't added required value to the line-up. Though Ansari bowled fairly decently, Batty has been abysmal. England would be better off playing an extra seamer rather than a third spinner.

Woakes, Anderson and Stokes have been penetrative but would do well to get help from Ball or Finn in Mumbai. Rashid and Moeen have been pretty decent and England actually do not require another spinner. It is better for them to back their strengths and go for the fourth seamer.

Shami and Umesh Yadav have managed to trump Anderson, Woakes and Stokes with inspired spells of seam bowling. They have more often than not struck at the right time, finding reverse swing and combining it with consistent lines. England, on the other hand, need their pace bowlers to step up a notch.