Pujara, Kuldeep: Probable Changes in Indian Eleven for Lord’s Test

Here’s a look at the probable changes the Indian team will be looking to make in the second Test against England.

Cheteshwar Pujara leaves a ball during a Test match against South Africa.

(Photo: AP)

The Indian team couldn’t get off to the best of starts in the five-match Test series against England after losing a dramatic Test match by 31 runs. Synonymous to the tour of South Africa, India’s bowlers were on their mark while the batsmen barring Virat Kohli struggled against the swinging deliveries.

This Indian side led by Virat Kohli have usually played five main batsmen along with a wicket-keeper in the Test eleven. But looking at India’s dismal batting away from home, the Indian team management may look to strengthen the batting order with an extra batsman for the next Test.

Here’s a look at the probable changes the Indian team will be looking to make.

Cheteshwar Pujara in action.

Pujara in Place of Pandya

India have only two batsmen in the squad who didn’t find a place in the playing eleven for the first Test – Cheteshwar Pujara and Karun Nair. The latter played his last Test match almost one-and-a-half years ago. India wouldn’t want to take a big risk of playing Nair when their batting line-up is in dire straits. So, the visitors have only one choice.

Even though Hardik Pandya was India’s second highest scorer (22 and 31) in the first Test, he is still the weakest link in the eleven. The all-rounder doesn’t promise a certain performance with the bat or ball before a match.

Usually an all-rounder is expected to surely perform in one discipline and help with the other. But, Pandya, who batted at number 8 in the second innings and didn’t bowl during the opposition’s second innings, shows that the captain has lost a bit of faith in Pandya.

Pujara could be brought back into the side at the number three position to improve the solidarity of the top order and KL Rahul could be moved to the number six position.

The Gujarat batsman went through a poor run of form while playing for Yorkshire in the County season. However, after being dropped for the first Test, he will be surely determined to find his mojo back.

Kuldeep Yadav celebrates a wicket during a Test match against Australia.

Kuldeep in Place of Umesh

There has been a heatwave during India’s tour of England this time. The conditions are drier than usual. Therefore the pitches have begun to suit spinners. India skipper Virat Kohli expressed at the pre-match press conference that two spinners could be picked for the Lord’s Test.

Just walking here, the pitch looked very hard and the surface looked very dry. It has been very hot in London for the last couple of months. It is a tempting thought to field two spinners but we have to take a call on that depending on the team balance. But two spinners are definitely in contention.

Virat Kohli

If India decide to play two spinners in the next Test, Kuldeep Yadav could get the nod in place of speedster Umesh Yadav. The fast bowler found it difficult to bowl on a good line consistently and therefore was given only seven overs in the second innings of the first Test.

The chinaman bowler bowled brilliantly during the limited-overs leg of the series. He could play in place of Umesh and be India’s mystery bowler against England’s Test batsmen such as Alastair Cook, Keaton Jennings and Dawid Malan.

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