England v India: A look at Team India's performances in practice matches

Stuart Binny: The selectors raised a few eyebrows when they gave Stuart Binny a chance ahead of other popular choices. The 30-year-old had a chance to bat in only one innings, but he scored a very good 81 to silence the critics for time being. Also, he has strengthened his case by picking up a couple of wickets and sending down some effective overs against Derbyshire.

Ravindra Jadeja: Jadeja came into the team with the reputation of scoring 3 first-class triple tons, but he has become more a bowling all-rounder. Though the left-arm spinner has done decently for India in the spin department, he has done little to justify his role as a batsman. While his bowling was bad in the first game, he did very well in the second game keeping the economy around 2 and picking up 2 wickets. As Ashwin’s woeful form continues, Jadeja is likely to make the cut over Ashwin, like he did in the previous three occasions overseas.

Ravichandran Ashwin: Ashwin has been India’s best spinner in subcontinental conditions, but exactly the opposite in overseas Tests. He bowled 14 overs across 3 innings and has given 71 runs without picking up any wickets. With Binny and Jadeja doing well, Ashwin might find it hard to find a place in the team.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar: With Zaheer Khan not included in the squad, Bhuveshwar Kumar looks all set to replace him. Although he hasn’t done well in his Test career so far, the conditions in England suit his style of bowling more than any other bowler in the Indian squad. He might have gone for a lot in the first practice match and picked up only one wicket but he was better in the second match; it is difficult to see him not making the team.

Mohammed Shami: There was injury cloud over him during the first practice match, but he seems to have recovered well when looking at the way he bowled in the second practice match. While his performances in the two games failed to impress, India should be happy that he is fit enough to start.

Varun Aaron: He was a surprise pick ahead of Umesh Yadav. Aaron has the pace, but he needs to be more consistent with his line and length to trouble the English batsmen. He has been wicket-less in both the games and has given runs at more than 4 an over. The 24-year-old doesn’t look anywhere close to making the playing 11.

Ishwar Pandey: He was with the Indian squad that toured New Zealand earlier this year and bowled well in the practice matches there. Pandey has an impressive first-class record and showed glimpses of a good Test bowler in IPL. He has bowled 16 overs in the practice matches here, conceding 65 runs and picking up 1 wicket. He looks the first-choice replacement if any of the frontline bowlers get injured midway through the series.

Pankaj Singh: Finally Pankaj Singh has made it to the Indian team. One wonders, at 29, it might be a little late for him to deliver in the international arena. However, he continues to rake in wickets in the domestic circuit and could very well replicate if given a chance. If India opts to go in with 4 pace bowlers, he could very well make the team.

He bowled 25 overs and gave 109 runs in all picking up one wicket.

Ishant Sharma: Ishant, as usual, has been inconsistent, wayward and unpredictable. He gave 80 runs from 17 overs in the first two innings he bowled; however, he conceded only 10 runs from 7 overs he bowled in the second innings of the second practice game against Derbyshire. With loads of experience, he might be an automatic pick, but Ishant can’t continue to be the way he has been all along.

From the performances in the practice games, the demands of the England decks and the history, the final 11 could look as follows:

Vijay, Dhawan, Pujara, Kohli, Rahane, Dhoni, Jadeja, Binny, Bhuvneshwar, Ishant, Shami.