England vs India 2018: 3rd Test- India’s Predicted XI
Jan 9, 2019 at 3:44 PM
Team India will be keen to put on an improved batting effort to save the five-match Test series when they face England for the third Test at Trent Bridge starting from August 18 (Saturday).
Meanwhile, the visitors are currently 2-0 and will play to save the series. After a determined effort at Birmingham, the wheels seemed to come off for the Virat Kohli-led side. No batsman crossed fifty across innings, and there was only one 50-run partnership for India in the entire match.
The Indian openers failed once again, with Murali Vijay, the most experienced of them, bagging a pair. KL Rahul hasn’t been able to do justice to his reputation. The top-order needs to score runs if India wants to bounce back.
Things look grim for India at the moment, but coach Ravi Shastri said there’s not a single ‘negative bone’ in the team. There may be a change or two with talks of Rishabh Pant getting into the XI. Jasprit Bumrah, if fit, might also come in, possibly in place of Kuldeep Yadav.
England vs. India 2018: Here is India’s predicted XI for the 3rd Test:
SHIKHAR DHAWAN
The management dropped Shikhar Dhawan dues to his dismal form. However, he is likely to return after a string of poor scores from Murali Vijay.
The southpaw has a good record in England and will hope to bank on it and return to form.
KL RAHUL
KL Rahul started this on an outstanding fashion, however, eventually lost his form. KL Rahul needs to score runs in the third Test against England starting from August 18 at Trent Bridge.
The selectors haven’t declared the squad for the last two Test, and another weak performance can hurt his chances.
CHETESHWAR PUJARA
Cheteshwar Pujara came into the first XI at Lord’s after a surprise elimination from the first Test. However, he had a very minimal impact on the game.
The Saurashtra batsman got runout in the first innings while Stuart Broad cleaned him up in the second essay. Pujara needs to stand tall and take the onus on himself to score runs for his team.
Meanwhile, Pujara knows this conditions very well having played County Cricket and will hope to make better use of it.
VIRAT KOHLI (c)
Virat Kohli has been the sole performer for India in this two Tests. However, he sustained a back injury during the fourth day of the Lord’s Test.
However, he is fit and had a great net session last day. Kohli’s importance in this side is paramount, and this news will undoubtedly lift the confidence of the whole team.
Virat Kohli will be keen to lead this team from the front with another daddy hundred at Trent Bridge.
AJINKYA RAHANE
The Test vice-captain has had an inferior series, so far in England. With quality players sitting outside, its high time Ajinkya Rahane should start scoring runs.
So far, Rahane has registered only 48 runs across four innings against the English line-up. As a result, the middle-order has failed to perform except Virat Kohli.
The Mumbai batsman needs to have a grip on the scheme things if India wants to make a comeback.
RISHABH PANT (wk)
Rishabh Pant is most likely to replace Karthik after the latter failed to impress at Edgbaston and Lord’s. Pant, the young wicket-keeper batsman, possesses a significant prospect and will be keen to make use of this opportunity.
The southpaw has recently played some match-defining knocks for India A in England.
HARDIK PANDYA
This opportunity will be the make or break chance for the young all-rounder in the Test side. He has so far struggled to put in significant contributions and will have to stand up in this needy situations.
India will depend on the all-rounder to come good as they aim to bounce back in the series.
RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN
Ravichandran Ashwin had a pretty off game after a successful Edgbaston outing. He will have to pick wickets if India wants to keep the English batsmen in check.
Experienced in this conditions, Ashwin will be a crucial component for Virat Kohli.
MOHAMMED SHAMI
Mohammed Shami has done a fair job so far coping up with his mental problems. However, he needs to contribute more and bring India more wickets with the new ball.
Meanwhile, the Bengal pacer has shown good rhythm which will keep the Indian team hopeful.
ISHANT SHARMA
Ishant Sharma had an outstanding game at Edgbaston, however, had minimal effect at Lord’s. The tall and lanky pacer needs to be in his superlative form at Trent Bridge.
Moreover, Ishant Sharma will have to lead the bowling attack against a formidable England side.
JASPRIT BUMRAH
Jasprit Bumrah’s availability will undoubtedly boost the India camp. The young fast bowler missed the first two Tests due to a thumb injury, however, now is entirely fit and raring to go.
The management will hope that Bumrah will revive their fortunes, who had a great debut series in South Africa.