4 things need India need to do differently in Trent Bridge 

England v India: Specsavers 1st Test - Day Five
Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri

India travels to Trent Bridge for the third Test, having lost the first two games. If Kohli's men fail to bring their A-game to Nottingham, any chance to win the series will vanish before their eyes. The Lord's Test lasted only 170 overs - not even two full days. After such an embarrassing capitulation, it is evident that changes have to be made. So what can India do differently to change their fortunes?


#4 Open with Cheteshwar Pujara

Yorkshire v Nottinghamshire - Specsavers County Championship: Division One
Cheteshwar Pujara

In the five overseas Tests India has played in 2018, their highest opening stand has been 50 runs. In the five matches, India's average first wicket partnership has been 17.8. In both England and South Africa, the openers have been a major problem for the Men in Blue

As his golden pair at Lord's exhibited, Murali Vijay is completely out of touch. The Tamil Nadu opener looks a shadow of the batsman who was extremely successful in India's last overseas cycle. Shikar Dhawan has failed on way too many overseas tours for the team management to be able to trust him anymore. Even KL Rahul has not done much to impress of late but he still deserves more chances.

With all the openers struggling, the best option for India is to open with Cheteshwar Pujara. In any case, the number three is virtually opening because of the poor performances the openers are giving. There is no denying that Pujara's own form has been nothing significant either but as things stand the Saurashtra batsman is likely to see the new ball out than either of India's openers. Whether Pujara gets runs or not, one thing guaranteed with him is that he will play out a lot of balls like his 87 ball outing at Lords vindicated.

This move will open a place in the middle order and that place must be taken up by Karun Nair. The Karnatakan has been in England for a while as captain of the 'A' team, where he scored three half-centuries in three first-class games indicating some good form. Also, the 26-year-old has fond memories of playing the English having scored a triple century at Chepauk in 2016.

#3 Play Virat Kohli at number three

England v India: Specsavers 1st Test - Day Four
Virat Kohli

In both South Africa and England, Virat Kohli has played on another galaxy in comparison to the rest of the team. At a time when no other specialist batsman in the team has an average of even 20, Kohli has scored more than 500 runs at an average of 52. It is fair to say that the men in blue have been over-reliant on their talisman in recent times.

As things stand, it will be in India's best interests to let Virat Kohli bat at number three. The captain promoting himself up the order promises to be a move that can reduce the pressure on the rest of the batting unit. Having an inform batsman around them will be a source of relief for the struggling top order. More importantly, by nature Kohli is not someone would get bogged down. He will look to score quick runs of the English bowlers which will help India gain some momentum.

#2 Replace Dinesh Karthik with Rishabh Pant

England Lions v India A - Day Four
Rishabh Pant

Wriddiham Saha's injury problems have led to a late change of plan to India's wicket department. In South Africa, it was Parthiv Patel who took his place while Dinesh Karthik has been given the nod in England. However, the Kolkata Knight Rider's captain's showing with the bat has been largely disappointing. In four innings so far, three have been knocks of 0, 0 and 1. Not the lack of runs but his batting technique comes out as the biggest concern. Twice in the series, Karthik has lost his stumps with a massive gap between his bat and pad.

As a backup wicket-keeper, India has the young and stylish Rishabh Pant waiting for his chance. The 20-year-old is almost destined to be India's next long-term wicketkeeper in all formats. At the moment, he can do no worse than Dinesh Karthik and it will help the youngster gain experience of the longest format in possibly the toughest conditions there are. At the very least, India has a lot to gain from the long-term by playing him.

There are claims that Pant's limited over showing have gained him a place in the Test team. While his IPL form has been pivotal in showcasing his talent to the world, the Delhi boy's best moments in domestic cricket have come while wearing the whites. In 23 first-class matches, he has scored 1774 runs at an average of 54.50. Playing for the India A against West Indies A and England Lions, Pant notched up 189 runs in two matches. Rishabh Pant is neither an alien to the longest format nor to English conditions.

Pant is naturally a fearless batsman who likes to play at a quick rate. He promises to be the perfect weapon for India to put some pressure back on the English bowling attack. Unlike the rest of the team, the former Delhi Captain does not carry the baggage of failure and will be a breath of fresh air to the lineup. From the technical side, the addition of a left-hander to the middle-order is something the team management is desperately looking for.

Pant's ability behind the stumps in these conditions remains largely untested. However, this is a gamble India will have to take. At the moment, India needs to strengthen their batting more than anything else.

#1 Play Jasprit Bumrah

2nd Sunfoil Test: South Africa v India, Day 4
Jasprit Bumrah

While India's bowling has not been a major issue, the absence of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah has been felt. Reports have indicated that Bumrah is now fit and available for selection for the Trent Bridge test. If he is fully fit, India should field him into the playing 11.

The decision to play an extra spinner at Lords massively backfired on Virat Kohli. The conditions and pitch had nothing for a spinner to exploit. Kuldeep Yadav, who was drafted into the team in place for Umesh Yadav failed to take a single wicket and went at an economy rate for 4.89 in his nine overs.

Seeing India's batting struggle against pace, it is highly likely that England will prepare a seam-friendly pitch again. It will be ideal for India to play three full-fledged fast bowlers again. In the first match, Umesh Yadav was largely wayward with his line and length. Hence, a return for Bumrah is only a matter of time.

It was only eight months ago that Jasprit Bumrah made his debut in South Africa. The selection was surprising but a gamble that paid off as he took 14 wickets in the series. The highlight was a five-wicket haul in the first innings of India's incredible win in Johannesburg. Clearly, his adaptability to test cricket is not in doubt anymore and hence there is no reason for India to not play him.

His slinging action gives India a different option to what they have on offer currently. The surprise element Bumrah brings is a great option to help expose England's vulnerable batting unit with. As an attacking bowler, the Indian captain is not going to get anyone better than Bumrah as his disposal.

Having said that, India must play him only if he is completely fit and ready to play. In no case should Jasprit Bumrah be rushed into a test match? Taking a risk on his fitness and possibly losing him for a longer period is the last thing Indian cricket needs at the moment.

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Edited by Moderator -PJ