England vs India 2018: 3 players who can help India win the 3rd Test

The no.1 Test ranked nation is in the news for all wrong reasons. Former players, experts, and even some Indian fans are asking tough questions to the Indian captain and coach. Social media is flooded with the opinions of fans regarding the changes to be made in the playing XI for the upcoming third game. Everyone is entitled to a conclusion. However, it is unfair to lay down so much criticism on the Indian cricket team.

Though England crushed India in the second game, they were the same team that fought toe-to-toe with the hosts in the first game (courtesy: Virat Kohli). At the end of the second game, even James Anderson admitted that the English bowlers would have easily rolled down their own batsmen in those conditions.

Ahead of what could be a series-deciding game at Trent Bridge, let us look at three players who can help India win the third Test.

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#3 Cheteshwar Pujara

Pujara must spend a huge amount of time at the crease in the 3rd Test

When Pujara did not attract a single buyer in the 2018 IPL auction, he decided to make use of his free time fruitfully. Keeping the upcoming England tour in mind, he opted for a county stint with Yorkshire. He had a poor county season with the highest score of just 41.

However, unlike most of the other players in the squad, Pujara has enough experience of playing in those harsh English conditions. Surprisingly, the management decided to drop him for the first test. When the decision backfired in the Edgbaston Test, he was immediately recalled for the second Test.

Unfortunately, he was run-out in the first innings for just a single run. In the second innings, he looked firm and composed, as opposed to other batsmen in the squad. In fact, he was the only Indian batsmen in the second innings to face more than 50 balls (87).

If Pujara stays in the crease for a long time in the third Test, then a big score is inevitable. Besides, his prolonged stay will make the England bowlers lose their steam.

#2 Jasprit Bumrah

Bumrah's inclusion will strengthen the bowling lineup

Bumrah’s absence was felt in the entire tour of England. In the ODIs, India badly missed their death-over specialist. Though the Indian bowlers performed well in the first two Test matches, Bumrah’s presence would have made an absolute difference.

Especially in the first game, when the team was struggling to clean up the England tail in the second innings, Bumrah’s skills would have reduced the target for India. Virat Kohli confirmed today that Bumrah is fit for the next game.

Bumrah can replace Kuldeep Yadav in the third game. It is no doubt that Bumrah’s addition will strengthen the bowling lineup.

#1 Virat Kohli

Kohli will love to repeat his first game heroics in the upcoming must-win match

The no.1 in this list is an obvious one. Yes, it is the captain of the Indian cricket team, Virat Kohli. In the first Test itself, Kohli had scored more runs that the entire amount of runs he scored in the whole 2014 England tour.

A troubled back limited his movements in the second Test. As a result, his returns were inadequate in that game. Now, the skipper looks fit ahead of the upcoming game. When all the batsmen struggled against the English bowlers in the first game, Kohli looked comfortable and almost single-handedly won the game for the visitors.

Kohli loves to thrive against pressure. With former players and fans questioning his captaincy and a must-win game ahead, the stage is set for Kohli to prove his credentials once again.