6 things which can help India make a comeback in the Test series

England annihilated India in Lord's by an innings and 159 runs and now lead the series 2-0. Indians have still a lot to play in this series as there are three Test matches to follow over the next couple of weeks. This is the benefit of having a long Test series as it provides the teams with an opportunity to make a comeback.

Let us look at the reasons why the present Indian team can still make a comeback in this Test series.

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1) England batting is not in top form

England's batting does not look settled as yet. Their more experienced batsmen like Cook and Root have been going through a lean patch. This may be a worrisome sign for the English but Indians would not mind that.

England's opening pair is yet to register a 50 plus partnership in this series. The highest partnership which the pair has managed to put forth is only 26. On the contrary, India have had one 50 runs partnership in this series which ironically is the highest opening partnership in the series for either team.

Even the middle order for England looks very brittle and has been exposed by the Indian bowlers time and again. They have been saved the blushes by useful contributions from their lower middle order.

Indians have been able to prize the first five wickets of England in quick succession in this series. The problem has been in getting the later five. Indian bowlers, especially seamers getting tired after bowling long spells might be one of the reasons for the same. It would be imperative that Kohli uses his pace bowlers judiciously. Rather them using them for long spells, he should bring them on for short bursts so that they do not lose their intensity and are fresh whenever called upon to bowl.

2) Indian openers should attack the English bowlers

Dhawan should be given another chance

Indian openers should be given license to attack from the word go. As it is often said in cricket that attack is the best form of defence. Indian skipper should speak to his openers and assure them of a longer run in the team. Dropping a player every other game does not augur well for his confidence. India should open with Dhawan and Rahul. Both being attacking batsmen are capable of decimating any attack on a given day.

A good start would mean the middle order will have less pressure and they can play the role of the accumulator. The lower middle order has been good for India so far but they would need their tail to wag a little more.

3) Pujara, Rahane, Kohli hold the key in the middle order

Pujara will be the key in the middle order

Pujara, Kohli and Rahane will be the key batsmen for India going forward. Kohli, without doubt, is India's best batsman. He has already shown what he is capable of in the first Test where he amassed 200 runs. Pujara looked determined when he came into bat in the first innings of Lord's test but was unfortunate enough to depart early.

In the second innings, he showed his class and temperament against the hostile English bowling. He would be itching to go and score a big hundred. Rahane was aghast at his dismissal in the 2nd innings. He had batted beautifully till then and along with Pujara was in the process of resurrecting the Indian innings.

In both the innings, Rahane perished while reaching out for a ball tailing away. He would look to rectify this in his upcoming innings and play a pivotal role in bringing some sanity to the middle order.

4)Playing with straight bat

Countering swing with a straight bat

Indian batsmen should get in the line of the ball and play with a straight bat as much as possible. Kohli orchestrated the best way to handle the moving ball in the first Test. He stayed in line of the ball and never played away from his body. This is the key when playing in English conditions, one has to play with the bat as close to the body as possible.

Most of the dismissals of Indian batsmen were due to the fact that they played with the bat away from their body. Indian batsmen are brought up on sub-continent pitches where cover drives are bread and butter for them. In the overcast conditions and with the ball is zagging around, cover drives have to be avoided.

5) 3 pacers and 1 spinner is the right combination

Umesh Yadav should be back for the 3rd Test

India should go in with the three pace attack and Ashwin can shoulder the spinner role. This combination worked for India in the first Test. In the seaming conditions, one needs to strengthen their pace department. Umesh Yadav should be back in the side. He brings in an extra yard of pace which can disturb even set batsmen. The spinner will have to play the holding role as the pitches would rarely offer any turn.

The present Indian bowling attack is capable of taking 20 wickets. They had showcased that in the Edgbaston Test and there is no reason why they cannot do that again. Indian batsmen need to step up and score heavily so that their bowlers have enough runs to defend.

6) Rishabh Pant should replace Dinesh Karthik

Rishabh Pant should replace Dinesh Karthik

In the last two Tests, Karthik has been very poor with the bat. He needs to be given rest so that he can reflect upon his batting. Rishabh Pant can be brought in to replace Karthik. Pant is a fearless cricketer and can take the attack to the opposition. He already had a feel of the English conditions as he was part of the India A team which toured England recently.