Engalnd vs India 2018, 3rd Test Match, Trent Bridge - India's Predicted Playing XI

India has their backs against the wall as they are down by two games in the five-match series. Thus, it is going to be a difficult comeback road for the visitors. There are a lot of questions hanging over the batting line-up of the tourists as they have let the team down. We take a look at India’s Predicted Playing XI for the third Test Match at Trent Bridge.

In fact, India’s bowling battery has done a good job thus far in the series. However, the batsmen haven’t delivered the goods for the team. Thus, Virat Kohli’s men need to come up with a better performance to stay alive in the series.

The Indian openers have failed to give a good platform to the team. Therefore, the likes of KL Rahul, Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan need to come up with a solid performance. The openers play a huge role in Test match cricket and it is high time that India finds its answers to their batting woes.

On the other hand, England has ticked the right boxes with their performances. Chris Woakes was the star of the show in the Lord’s Test and James Anderson continues to get better with age like a old wine.

Here is a look at India’s Predicted Playing XI for the third Test at Trent Bridge.

Murali Vijay

Murali Vijay is the first choice opener of India. However, the right-hander is going through a dry run of form. Vijay had bagged a pair in Lord’s but he will look to improve his performance.

KL Rahul 

KL Rahul hasn’t also lived up to the expectations. Rahul has shown the promise to do well in the foreign conditions and needs to deliver a better performance.

Cheteshwar Pujara

Cheteshwar Pujara was unfortunately run-out in the second Test match’s first innings. Pujara can sometimes go into a shell and needs to look at the ways of scoring runs.

Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli has fought a lone battle thus far on the England tour. Thus, the Indian skipper will want other batsmen to rise to the occasion and deliver for the team.

It is now and never for Team India.

Ajinkya Rahane 

Ajinkya Rahane has struggled to get going in 2018. He has an average of 16 in the year and needs to find his lost touch as soon as possible. Rahane’s is India’s one of better batsmen and the tourists will want more from Kohli’s deputy.

Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya did well with the ball in the second Test match. The Indian all-rounder will like to play a major role in changing the course of the series.

Rishabh Pant 

Rishabh Pant can be included in place of Dinesh Karthik who has failed to leave a mark. Pant has shown great promise and also did well on recent India A tour of England. Therefore, he is part of our India’s Predicted Playing XI.

Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin was brilliant in the first Test match. However, he could not find any assistance in the second match at Lord’s. Ashwin will look to come up with goods for India.

Ishant Sharma

Ishant Sharma did well in the first Test match. However, the lanky fast bowler could not make use of his vast experience as he failed to hit the right lengths.

Mohammed Shami ‘

Mohammed Shami has been the most impressive Indian fast bowler in the series. However, his wickets column hasn’t justified it as he has been a bit unfortunate.

Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah has cleared the fitness test and would be in the reckoning for his place. He had done a good job on the South African tour and would be handy in the England conditions. Therefore, he makes the cut for India’s Predicted Playing XI.