England vs India 2018: Three players team India must NOT drop for the third Test

Ahead of the second Test, Sourav Ganguly, in one of his Instagram posts, warned India against chopping and changing. When a team is travelling away from home and the first Test does not go their way, it happens that a lot of changes are made for the subsequent match.

Virat Kohli is infamous for not fielding the same Test XI for two consecutive matches. His reactive captaincy instincts are always questionable. His decision to field two spinners on a very rainy English day at Lords proved to be quite costly for the Indian team. The visitors succumbed to their second defeat of the series by an innings and 159 runs.

Changes to the playing XI are essential. But there must not be a case where the players do not feel secure. This insecurity can affect the mental fitness of any given player. After every failure, there seems to be tension building in the camp regarding the composition of the side. In fact, at times, barring the captain (if fit), no one seems to be an automatic choice.

While this is the case with any struggling team overseas, India is often guilty of making far more changes in haste than required. Rishab Pant might make his debut tomorrow and a fully fit Jasprit Bumrah becomes an automatic choice. Any other change is unwarranted.

Despite middling performances and indifferent form of late, the following three players must not be dropped.

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1. Lokesh Rahul

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KL Rahul has scored just 35 runs in the four innings that he has batted in the series at an average of 8.75. It is poor by any standards. But Rahul is one player who has the ability to score big against any bowling lineup under any conditions. When on song, Rahul can be a genuine match winner.

India has to take good care of him. Giving him the confidence is of utmost importance for the team's cause. After being slotted at No.3 in the first Test, he was made to open the innings in the second Test. This can be unsettling for any batsman. It is up to Kohli and Shastri to clearly define Rahul's role in the side.

The problem with his feet against the moving ball can be a technical issue. But a more serious issue is in his mind. Rahul can overcome his shortcomings if his thinking is straight and clear. A positive approach at the crease can do wonders to his numbers.

If Rahul can overcome his mental block, he can be an indispensable asset for the Indian Test squad. For this, the management should back him and his skills. The faith of the skipper can boost Rahul's morale and help him get rid of his fears.

KL Rahul must be given the opportunity to settle into the side. He clearly deserves an extended run at the top of the innings.

2. Cheteshwar Pujara

Pujara is an enigma. He had a terrible match at Lord's after sitting out at Edgbaston. But the conclusion cannot be that simple as Pujara did face a solid 112 balls in the middle. Before getting out to peach of a delivery in second innings at Lord's, he was looking compact in the middle.

It appears as if he is embedded inside a shell. In the first innings, Pujara scored just a single run in the 25 balls that he faced. He clearly puts pressure on the rest of the batsmen. The woeful opening stands and Pujara's blocking rate together heavily forces Virat Kohli to step up every single time he comes out to bat.

But with India's batting looking fragile, Pujara becomes a vital cog in the batting order. It is imperative for Pujara to stick around and score runs. The anchor of the innings should somehow find a way to build on his strike-rate. He must identify bad balls to pickup boundaries. His running between the wickets should be less frenetic and more intense at the same time.

Dropping Pujara cannot be a solution to India's woes. On the other hand, trusting his game can help improve the solidity of the side. Commitment is an irreplaceable attribute and Pujara is an excellent exponent of it. It is up to Kohli and team India to utilise Pujara to the maximum extent.

Pujara scored only 172 runs at a poor average of 14.33 in his county stint in 2018. Still, he has to bring his experience into play and stick to his role. A little more clarity in his approach and positivity at the crease can help the team compete.

3. Ajinkya Rahane

The vice-captain's form with the bat is depressing. The Mumbaikar has scored only 48 runs in the two Tests at a paltry average of 12. He was the team's most consistent performer on their previous overseas season from December 2013 to January 2015. But his average has dropped about ten runs per innings since 2016 from 51.37 to 41.42.

Rahane forms the backbone of India's middle order and lower-middle order. He has the skill set that is required to survive and score runs in these conditions. If he manages to find his lost touch with the bat, he can play match-defining knocks.

Rahane showed signs of returning back to from earlier this year against South Africa. His crucial 48 in the second innings on a difficult pitch helped India win the third Test match at Johannesburg.

“Mental discipline will be the key as far as the batsmen are concerned. He (Ajinkya Rahane) is one of our pillars and he will remain so,” Ravi Shastri told the media ahead of the third Test. Rahane's grit and determination should help him leap above all the criticisms he is facing right now.

Ajinkya Rahane deserves a chance to prove his mettle with the blade once again. He has to hurry though. Time seems to be running out for him.