What should be the Indian Test XI going forward

Middle-order batsmen: Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane and Hanuma Vihari

Cheteshwar Pujara

It came as a shock to everyone when Cheteshwar Pujara was left out of the Indian side for the first Test and India eventually went on to lose it by 31 runs. He was brought into the side for the second Test and showed some resistance in the second innings. A batsman like Pujara should always be a part of the Test team as he has the ability to burn out the bat and make scoring easier, something the others in the side cannot do.

Virat Kohli is the only performing player in the side and he cannot be dropped from the side even if he is half fit.

Ajinkya Rahane has been India's most dependable batsmen away from home but ever since coming back after he was dropped from the side in South Africa, he is not the same old Rahane. He scored a crucial 40-odd in the second innings but has completely looked out of sorts in England, where he has registered scores of 15, 2, 18 and 13.

Hanuma Vihari

One of the main reasons why the Indian team was successful in the early 2000s was the presence of a crisis man in VVS Laxman coming in to bat at number six. The current team does not have anyone doing the role Laxman did to perfection in the past. Instead of playing musical chairs with the position, the team management should bring in a frontline batsman to bat at that position.

Hanuma Vihari has been a consistent performer in the domestic circuit and has the technique and temperament to survive in Test cricket. It won't be a bad idea to give him a run at number six instead of sending in different batsmen in every other innings.