3 reasons why India might script a series win now

For the first two Tests of this meandering, gruelling Test series, India seemed all set to be subjugated to a humiliating whitewash. The familiar ghosts were back haunting them, the swinging ball, the lack of technique in challenging conditions, the poor team selection, the seemingly-average pace attack... and then, Trent Bridge happened.

It is hard to remember a series of this magnitude where a turnaround of such ferocity has been engineered by a side that seemed completely down and out at the start of this gargantuan challenge.

England had won a thriller at Birmingham and followed it up with a hammering in a rain-curtailed encounter at Lord's. However, they were completely outplayed by a resurgent visiting side in all departments of the game when the series shifted to Nottingham and India can actually hope to script a historic Test victory coming from behind in the most epic manner possible. Here's why.

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#1 India's pace attack has risen from the ashes

Even the great Michael Holding tore into him after his average performances in the first two Tests. He was described as a bits-and-pieces allrounder, not good enough in either department to actually merit a place in the Test side. His languorous, almost-cocky attitude was unfavourably commented upon, comparisons with Kapil Dev did him no favours. But then Hardik Pandya came on to bowl for a mere six overs in England's first innings.

That short stint, a mere two overs more than a T20 spell changed the complexion of the series. Pandya swung the ball devastatingly, maintained a challenging line and bowled with a lot of heart, breaking the backbone of the England middle-order. His 5/28 reduced England to 161 and set up the ensuing victory.

In the second innings, it was the turn of Jasprit Bumrah to unleash his cutters and pick up a five-for in another stunning performance by an Indian fast bowler. Old hands Ishant Sharma and Mohamed Shami played a capable supporting hand as the pacers picked up 19 of the 20 England wickets in the Test and outbowled the much-vaunted England swing attack.

More of the same please, Indian fans will be saying.

#2 Virat Kohli is in the form of his life

Man-of-the-moment Virat Kohli

India is captained by the finest batsman in contemporary cricket; this is not a conjecture but an established fact. However, even the genius of Virat Kohli was under a serious question mark before he arrived in this shores. This was because of his persistent struggles in the last time he played in the country where some even went on to dub him James Anderson's bunny.

His intentions were clear much before the series began. Kohli had wanted to play county cricket in order to fine-tune his technique but injury put paid to those plans. Yet, his desire to silence his critics was signalled by that announcement and he has proven his mettle in the best possible way in this series. With over 400 runs he is far ahead of any other batsman in this series, Johnny Bairstow coming a distant second.

For all his flair and swagger, Kohli is one of the hardest-working individuals in the game, his willingness to curb his natural shot-making and grind out a century in the second innings in Nottingham is a testament to that fact. He can easily spearhead a famous Indian series victory if he maintains his current form.

#3 India topping the confidence meter

India are playing as a team at the right time

England did win the first two Tests, but most of their players have struggled for confidence and form throughout the series. The openers Keyton Jennings and Alastair Cook are a case in point. Neither of them have been comfortable facing Ishant Sharma's cutters whereas Cook has struggled against Ravi Ashwin.

Joe Root's early form with the bat has fizzled out, Ollie Pope is yet to find his feet in international cricket pacers Anderson and Broad struggled in Trent Bridge after their heroics in Lord's. England will heavily rely on the two allrounders Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes to get the upper-hand in the crucial Nottingham Test.

Cricket is both a form and a confidence game. After initial struggles in the series, Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul finally found both in the 3rd Test. Both Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara played crucial knocks and even Risabh Pant picked up five dismissals in a creditable debut.

The bowlers, as already established, have peaked at the right time. So clearly, it is advantage India as we head into a dramatic finale of an engrossing series. Cricket, though, is a game that changes color all too quickly and a new day might bring a complete reversal of fortunes for both sides. What we are sure of is an intriguing battle.