England vs India 2018 - Analyzing India's squad for the Test series against England

We are now only one week away from the third and final leg of what is arguably the biggest and most important tour of the year, as India begin their 5-match test series against England, in England, with the first test match at Edgbaston on August 1.

With both team sharing the two limited overs series, this series will be vital for both host and the visitors. India has often struggled to win test matches against England in the past, and has only won three test series ever since their first tour to England in 1932.

With the sole aim of winning a test series in England after a gap 12 years, BCCI announced a huge 18-men squad, which includes 7 batsmen, 2 wicket-keepers, 1 all-rounder and 8 bowlers, to give a tough fight to the mighty English squad.

Before India begin their campaign in a week, let us analyze India's squad for the long and tiring 5-match test series against England.

---

Openers (Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, and KL Rahul)

These two have been rock solid for India at the top of the order.

This is probably the biggest area of headache for the team management, and ,in a way, is a good headache to have. For the first time in years, India has three solid openers in test cricket who are at the peak of their game.

The trio of Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul have been so good in recent times that, no matter which duo from this trio features in the playing XI, we are guaranteed to see solid partnerships at the top of the order.

Murali Vijay will be the first choice opener in the test squad with a toss-up between Rahul and Dhawan for the second opener's spot. Both had an average ODI series but will look to make up for it in the longest format of the game.

While Shikhar Dhawan is famous for giving lightening starts to the team, Rahul is probably the most technically sound batsman in the current Indian squad. All in all, this top order can give any bowling attack a good run for its money in the early overs.

Verdict - A rock solid top order that is one of the best in the world.

Middle Order (Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane and Karun Nair)

The Indian middle order is full of match winners.

The Indian middle order has always been the strength of the Indian cricket team, and it continues to be crucial for the team in 2018 as well. From the likes of Amarnath, Vishwanath and Vengsarkar to the mighty trio of Dravid, Tendulkar and Laxman, the batsmen at position 3, 4 and 5 have always been the backbone of the Indian team.

And continuing this trend is the group of three of the best Indian test batsmen right now - Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane. Ever since the change of guard back in 2012, these three batsmen have, both individually and in tandem with others, contributed heavily to the teams success.

Even though Pujara has struggled in England in the past, his county stint with Yorkshire will help him rebuild his confidence for the test series.

England is probably the biggest challenge for Virat Kohli, who had a dismal tour in 2014 and will be looking to continue his splendid form to wash the memories from last tour.

Last, but not least, is India's overseas specialist in Ajinkya Rahane, who has proven time and time again his value in the team with his unbelievable performances in the longer format. The addition of Karun Nair, India's second Triple centurion, ahead of Rohit Sharma has only strengthened an already solid middle order, and provided India with an extra batsman.

Verdict - An experienced and proven middle order that is hell bent on proving their profess outside the sub-continent.

Lower Order (Dinesh Karthik, Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya)

Pandya now has a lot of responsibilities on his shoulders.

The retirement of MS Dhoni from test cricket left a big gap in the Indian lower order, but, slowly and steadily, Wriddhiman Saha developed himself into a worthy successor of the former Indian skipper.

However, ever since Saha got injured back in early 2018, India has played three tests and have played two different stumpers in those matches. Even though both Parthiv Patel and Dinesh Karthik, Saha's replacement in those fixtures, are experienced campaigners, they have not had enough chances to represent the national team on a regular basis.

As a matter of fact, Karthik, who will be India's first choice keeper in this series, has only played a single test match in the last 8 years. Add to the fact that the second wicket keeper in the squad, Rishabh Pant, is yet to make his debut in the longest format, and India have a rather inexperienced two-third lower order in this series.

Hence, a lot of responsibilities will be on the shoulder of the third wheel of this group, Hardik Pandya, who, in a span of two years, has emerged as India's main all-rounder across all formats. With both Saha and Bhuvneshwar Kumar on sidelines, Pandya's batting with the tailenders will be crucial to India's chances.

Verdict - The Achilles heel of the team, which is the only weak spot in the squad.

Spinners (R. Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav)

The senior spinners are back.

With the limited overs series done and dusted, it is now time for the young spinners to make way for the experienced spinners in R. Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, both of whom are among the best of this generation in the longest format.

Even though the English conditions have not been that kind to spin bowlers in the past, this trend has changed slightly in recent years. Both Ashwin and Jadeja are certified game changers who have performed well irrespective of the conditions, and will be looking to make a strong return to the team by performing well in this series.

With Saha and Bhuvi on the sidelines, the batting skills of Ashwin and Jadeja, who are proven all-rounders in test cricket, will also be useful for the Indian lower order. The surprise package, however, is the backup spinner in Kuldeep Yadav, who was both sensational and hard to predict in the limited overs series.

Kuldeep might not get the opportunity to be a part of the playing XI ahead of the two senior spinners, but his presence has provided more variety and a surplus wrist spin option to an already strong spin department.

Verdict - A sensational trio that will play a vital role in the middle overs.

Pacers (Mohammad Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Shardul Thakur and Jasprit Bumrah)

With Bhuvi Injured, Umesh now has to play the role of premier pacer.

Probably the biggest setback that the Indian team has suffered so far on this tour has been the injury sustained by Bhuvneshwar Kumar that has reportedly ruled him out of the first three test matches.

Since the English conditions are tailor made for swing bowling and Bhuvi is arguably one of the best swing bowlers in the world, his exclusion has left a big gap in the Indian bowling and lower order.

However, India still has a whole bunch of phenomenal fast bowlers, most of whom are more than aware of the conditions in England. In the absence of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, who bowled splendidly in the limited overs leg, will lead the bowling attack.

Yadav will be ably supported by the likes of Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami. While Mohammad Shami's match winning skills in Test matches are never in doubt, how his body holds up for the series remains to be seen. Ishant Sharma would like to bring in his county experience to play in the series. Rounding this fast bowling group are Shardul Thakur and the ever improving Jasprit Bumrah, who won't be available for the opening fixture but will play a vital role in the subsequent matches.

All in all, the Indian fast bowling in solid enough to trouble the English batsmen, but the swing of Bhuvneshwar Kumar will definitely be missed by the Indian team.

Verdict - The best Indian fast bowling quintet to ever tour England.

---

Final Verdict - A phenomenal overall squad which is more than capable of giving a tough fight to the hosts. The only weak spot being the fragile lower order in the batting lineup.