England vs India 2018: India's predicted XI for the third Test

India tour of England was thought to be a very close series with both teams coming off a series wins. As expected the T20 series was very close one with India sealing it in the final match of the series while England bounced back in the one-dayers winning the first and the third ODIs. India hasn't won Test series in England for 11 years and was looking to re-write the history by winning the test series after a long gap.

All didn't go well as per the Indian plan as India failed to win the first two tests. England won the first test by just 31 runs after India fell short chasing a modest target of 194. In the second test, India didn't even come close to England's total as they lost by an innings and 15 runs.

If India would make a comeback in the series India's playing XI should undergo minor changes to give a fight with the English squad with the likes of James Anderson, Chris Woakes, and Joe Root. Let us look at the Indian playing XI for the third Test.

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Openers- Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul

India have the choice of Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, and KL Rahul opening the innings, but none of them made an impact in the first two matches. In the first match, three of them were in the playing XI but following a poor performance both with the bat and in the field the team management left Shikhar Dhawan out of the playing XI. Murali Vijay was out for a duck in both the innings in the second test match and would be out of the playing XI for the third match.

If India needs to put up a fight in the third Test against England, the opening batsman needs to step up building a good partnership at the top. KL Rahul who has not fared well in both the tests will get another chance as the sources are in a limit for the Indian squad. He has scored runs quickly but failed to convert the starts to a big score and would love to get a lifeline to prove his class batting.

Middle Order- Cheteswar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane

India's middle order has contributed in some or the other way. KL Rahul, who played at the No.3 spot in the first match, opened the innings in the second match and would continue to open the innings in the third match.

Pujara will continue to play in the third match as well. Pujara would look to take his form from the second innings to the third Test match. He scored 17 runs from 87 balls at a strike rate of 19.54.

Virat Kohli who was out of the ground for a while due to a back problem would continue to play for the team's cause as India failed to register a win in the first two matches. His deputy Ajinkya Rahane will take care of the No.5 spot and looked good in the first innings of the second test match to score 18 runs but failed it to convert into a big score.

#3 Wicket Keeper and All-rounder- Dinesh Karthik and Hardik Pandya

The selection committee selected Dinesh Karthik as a replacement of Wriddhiman Saha who injured himself ahead of this Test series. Karthik who made his test appearance in England after a long time was aiming to cement his spot in the Indian Test squad but failed to reach the expectations.

Rishabh Pant might have to wait for his Test debut as his experience is nothing when compared to Dinesh Karthik. As a keeper, one should not only score runs but also be sharp behind the stumps.

Hardik Pandya, the all-rounder, who has not been in good form will be aiming to make an impact in the third Test match. Hardik has shown some intent with the ball but failed to score big with the bat. He will get enough chances as he is the only seam all-rounder in the current Indian squad.

Spinner- R Ashwin

Most of the cricket fanatics wanted Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI for the second Test and as expected Indian team management went for him ahead of the frontline seamer Umesh Yadav. This move failed as Kuldeep Yadav didn't even take a single wicket and went for runs. Ashwin who helped India give a tough fight against England in the first Test failed to replicate the success and finished with 17-1-68-0 with an economy of 4.00.

Kuldeep will find it hard to make it to the playing XI as India would go with an extra seamer which they lacked in the second match against England.

Fast Bowlers- Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Shami, Umesh Yadav

Ishant Sharma who was the best performer in the first Test failed to make an impact as he finished with 22-4-101-1 with an economy of 4.59. Ishant will be a certainty for the third test as he has plenty of experience in this form of the game. Mohammad Shami who looked dangerous in the first test picking up quick wickets went on to show his class in the second test as well finishing with 23-4-96-3 with an economy of 4.17. He is also certainty in playing XI as he has loads of experience in this form of the game picking 113 wickets in his 31 Test matches.

Umesh Yadav who was out of the playing XI for the second Test match is very much likely to make it to the XI if Bumrah is unfit for selection. Umesh Yadav provides the extra pace and bounce which Indian seamers lacked in the test in Lords. These pacers would hold a key if India would like to make a strong comeback at Trent Bridge.