The previous game in a gist-
Previous game between Team India and England was a uneven seesaw with many ups and downs. Either of them could have won or lost it depending on who applied the right kind of pressure on their opponents. The bowlers did their job, for both the teams with the help of the pitch. It was upto the batsmen to do their jobs, though neither team had real success at that.
Even at start of 4th innings when India were in to bat to chase a modest total, everybody thought it was India’s game, but the team started losing wickets thanks to brilliant bowling by the English seamers.
The only consistent performer with bat for India was captain Kohli.
2nd test: Level the series?
With the second test starting at Lords today, Team India needs to be on their toes to level the series. A few changes needed for India to win the test, not just in playing eleven but also in the strategies being planned.
So here are the changes needed by Indian team.
1. Rest Dhawan and include Pujara. Even though both the players are not at their best at the moment, Pujara will bring stability to the team.
2. Open with KL Rahul along with Murali Vijay. With Dhawan rested, it’s perfect stage for KL Rahul to bring some fast scoring to the team while Murali Vijay can keep the other end solid.
3. It’s English summer with the temperature hitting higher notes. The pitch may dry up a bit. So depending on the pitch India can think of using services of there Hukum ka Ekka, Kuldeep Yadav. The spinner who bamboozled Englishmen in both, T20 and ODI’s.
Yadav, who was the turning factor in the 1st T20 and ODI’s can be the storm hitting the English summer.
All the changes are with respect to presenting the best line up against a formidable English team. But a few changes needs to be thought of in the rest of the playing eleven.
With the batsmen and bowler’s finalised, it’s time to think of the all rounder in the team. Pandya. He played to best of his ability with the bat, but he still needs to control his swashbuckling nature to perform according to the requirements of the “Test-match Level”.
Also, the captain needs to use him as a proper bowler and give him more overs to play with, as he can really make an impact when the others are rather tired and can compliment Ashwin well.
He was not used at all in 2nd innings at Edgbaston, though Ishant Sharma’s performance was the main reason for that. Kohli needs to show confidence in Pandya’s test abilities for him to prove his name and look to become the next Kapil Dev of Indian cricket. He does has knack of surprising the batsmen and picking wickets out of nowhere.
The rest of the batsmen need to stay longer at the crease and remember it is a five day game, not a one day match. The more they stay on, the more are the chances of Team India scoring a huge total and building the innings.
