With India’s noses up in the series (1-0), the 3rd Test will be a crucial one for both the sides as a defeat could peg down either side.
With India’s noses up in the series (1-0), the 3rd Test will be a crucial one for both the sides as a defeat could peg down either side.
Even though Team India emerged victorious well at Lord’s, there will be some issues to sort out prior to the commencement of the 3rd Test at Southampton.
Here are those 5 things that MSD should change in the forthcoming Test against England at the Rose Bowl:
Virat Kohli needs a recheck:
With the likes of Murali Vijay and Ajinkya Rahane amongst the runs, the Indian management will be a bit worried with the form of the run-machine – Virat Kohli. With hardly any double figure scores in the 2 Tests played, Virat needs to ‘focus’ more on his cricket rather than his off-field relationships. If he fails to score in the 3rd Test, MS Dhoni and Duncan Fletcher need to revise their plans.
Drop Shikhar Dhawan and play Gautam Gambhir:
Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan has not clicked with the bat and the poor form at the top of the order is the best example. With the likes of Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma warming the benches, Dhawan needs to rework on his footwork and allow the former’s to get a chance into the squad.
Play Ravi Ashwin:
India played with 5 specialist bowlers that included all-rounder Stuart Binny being handed a debut. But the latter has not been in the best of form with the ball or so with the bat (besides his 78 at Trent Bridge). Ravi Ashwin can also contribute with the bat (2 tons) and that can prove beneficiary for Dhoni and the management.
Unsettle James Anderson, again!
Indians had a plan in the game at Lord’s and it worked wonders, that of unsettling James Anderson. The English pacer is amidst a controversy with Indian spinner Ravindra Jadeja as the duo was fined by the ICC. Whereas the cricket is concerned, these young Indian cricketers know how to give an ‘answer’ and should go for the attack against Jimmy Anderson.
Play Bhuvneshwar Kumar up the order
India’s greatest batting find this tour has to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The Meerut-born youngster has scored more runs than Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan and was also amongst the wickets. Given that, MS Dhoni should bring him higher up the order and not waste him at the tail.
MS Dhoni and his merry men go into this game with a confidence boosting win at Lord’s and knowing the fact that, if England lose yet again, Alastair Cook could be under tremendous pressure.
