3 changes India could make for the 5th Test

India has lost an away series once again. After the high of winning 2011 World Cup, India's Test cricket has gone down the hill. India has lost everywhere outside Asia, that too repeatedly. As this team has not been able to deliver even after repeated attempts, its time for an overhaul.

India should begin this process of overhauling their team with the 5th Test. Let us take a look at the changes Indian team should make:

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Replace Shikhar Dhawan with Prithvi Shaw

Prithvi Shaw

India has given Shikhar Dhawan enough opportunities, now its time to blood in a youngster. Prithvi Shaw, who has done exceptionally well in First class cricket, should get a look in.

The way Shikhar Dhawan has performed over the years, Shaw cannot do worse. It's time to invest in a youngster and on the basis of his talent, Shaw should be given a long rope.

Moreover, there is enough talent in India to replace an average performing Dhawan. Since the 5th Test is a dead rubber, it is about time that India tries a new face in the opening slot.

Bring a Batsman in place of Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya has struggled in the series

In pursuit of finding an all-rounder, India has sacrificed a batsman during the last seven away Test matches, which has not yielded the desired results.

Just to see how important an additional batsman could be, we need to go back to the most successful Indian team in overseas conditions in recent times.

In the Indian team of 2000's, the great VVS Laxman used to play at 6, and it goes without saying how many matches he won for India batting at that position.

After giving so many opportunities to Hardik Pandya, India has neither found a bowler nor a batsman. In the current series, Pandya has scored 164 runs and taken 8 wickets in 8 innings. Neither of these stats warrants him a place in the 5th Test.

Karun Nair

Karun Nair should get a look in at number 6. Though he has not set the world on fire after his triple hundred against England, if selectors have picked him in the team then he should get an opportunity, more so, when other Indian batsmen are struggling.

Rest Ashwin and bring in Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja

Ashwin looked a pale shadow of his former self in the 4th Test. It is evident that he is struggling with the hip injury picked up during the third Test. Playing an injured bowler cost India dearly in the fourth Test where Ashwin could not get wickets, even on a helpful surface.

Ashwin should be given rest for the fifth Test and Jadeja should replace him. Jadeja has the experience of playing in English conditions. He is a handy lower order batsman as well. He scored a valiant fifty during the win at lords in 2014, which was a crucial innings given the context of the match.

He is an accurate bowler too. Even when he is not getting wickets he keeps a check on the scoring rate.