England vs India 2018: India's predicted bowling attack for the first test

#5 Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya's form will be crucial to India's chances in the series

Although India has the option of another all-rounder in the form of Jadeja, it seems unlikely that he will be a part of the playing XI in Edgbaston. Instead, Hardik is expected to play as the conditions in Edgbaston are expected to aid pacers more than spinners. Moreover, fielding two spinners in the lineup in swinging conditions might be worthless for the team.

Hardik showed glimpses of being a reliable lower middle-order batsman who can make runs against odds in the South African tour. His 93 in the first Test against the likes of Morkel, Rabada, and Philander in tough batting conditions was clearly an indicator of his abilities as a batting all-rounder. Although he still needs to work on both the aspects of the game, he provides India with the much-needed balance, and as long as he does, he will continue getting games at the highest level. But that should not make him complacent in the upcoming Tests, which give him an excellent opportunity to establish himself as a serious all-rounder in Tests.