3 changes India could make for 3rd Test 

The Test series so far has been a rather forgetful one as far as Team India are concerned. The number one ranked team in Tests have lost both the matches they have played so far in the 5-Test series. The Indian team have looked absolutely clueless. Virat Kohli and the team management do not have too many options left to try. However, there are 3 more matches to come and it will be interesting to see how India utilize the limited options they have at their disposal.

The loss in the previous two matches must have forced Kohli and the team management to think about making changes in the squad. The team that played the previous two matches could not make much of an impact. The outcome of those losses is that India trail England 2-0 in the series. Kohli would hope that his team makes a comeback in the series because if they lose the 3rd Test then it is all over for Team India. The poor batting performance of the batsmen has been a big problem for the team and it seems that the most obvious changes would be reflected in the batting department.

In the following slides, we are going to look at the possible changes that India could make in the 3rd Test match which will be played at Trent Bridge from 18th of August.

#1 Jasprit Bumrah in for Kuldeep Yadav

2nd Sunfoil Test: South Africa v India, Day 4

The biggest positive for India is that their ace bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been declared fit for the 3rd Test. Jasprit Bumrah, having regained fitness following a hand injury, should come back into the side for Kuldeep Yadav. Kuldeep bowled only 9 overs in the 2nd Test with an economy of a little under 5. He was the most expensive Indian bowler in the match.

India must have dropped the idea of playing two spinners on pitches which mostly assist the pace bowlers. Seeing the performance of the English fast bowlers in the previous two Tests has further decreased the chances of playing two spinners at the expense of a fast bowler.

#2 Rishabh Pant in for Dinesh Karthik

England Lions v India A - Day Three

This is Dinesh Karthik's first tour of England since the last time he toured the country way back in 2007. It was a golden opportunity for him to show the world that he has a lot of cricket left in him and he can be a valuable asset to the team. But so far he has not lived up to the expectations. Karthik has only scored 21 runs in the 4 innings that he has played. His highest score so far is only 20. In the previous match, he managed to score only 1 run in the two innings. In the second innings, he got out for a first ball duck.

Rishabh Pant could get to play ahead of Dinesh Karthik in the 3rd Test match. He can score runs at a brisk pace and can put the English bowlers under pressure. His aggressive approach and his ability to score runs freely could prove to be a big boost for the team.

#3 Shikhar Dhawan in for KL Rahul

England v India: Specsavers 1st Test - Day Two

It has not been a good tour for the Indian top order. The openers have failed to give a good start to the team and that puts pressure on the middle order which has so far crumbled under pressure. As far as openers are concerned, all the three options that India have tried so far have failed. They have not been able to score runs at all.

KL Rahul has got a chance to bat at number 3 and also as an opener but he has failed to get going irrespective of the positions he has batted at so far. It is possible that India might bring Shikhar Dhawan back into the team in place of Rahul. It will give them a left-right combination at the top of the order which could help them handle the pace attack of England. With Pujara back into the team, it leaves no place for KL Rahul to bat and as a result, he would have to make way for Dhawan.