England vs India 2018: Four Possible Replacements for Visitors in the Final Two Tests

Before looking at the possible replacements for the last two Tests we have a lot on the plate. Just like India’s previous tour of England in 2011 and 2014, the No. 1 Test team in the world is again staring down the barrel and are already 0-2 down in the five-match series Test series. India played well in the Edgbaston Test however lost by a slender margin of 31 runs.

However, their performance was simply unacceptable in the second Test at Lord’s where they went down by a huge margin of an innings an 159 runs. Indeed, it was a pathetic performance by the visitors.

Virat Kohli-led side was unable to cope with the seaming and swinging conditions and kept giving away wickets quite cheaply to the likes of James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Sam Curran and Chris Woakes respectively.

Even in the bowling department, they lacked the penetration. On a pitch where they were bowled out in less than 70 overs twice, they allowed England to pile on the runs in the first innings despite having them under pressure on 131 for five.

The team management have to take a call on the future. Hence, on that regard, we might see quite a few changes in the squad for a final couple of Tests.

Here are four possible replacements which the selectors might think of ahead of the team selection for the last two Tests.

Rohit Sharma in place of Ajinkya Rahane:

Ajinkya Rahane hasn’t looked a shade of himself in the series so far. He has been dismissed in a fashion which no one would have thought a couple of years ago.

Prominent batsman, Rahane has been a champion batsman for India, especially in the longest format. However, his performance hasn’t been upto the mark in the recent past. He has been woefully out of touch and might well be axed for the final two Tests.

If that is the case, Rohit Sharma might well be the likely replacement. He is a champion limited-overs batsman. However, his Test record isn’t that great. But given the current status of the team, Rohit might well be recalled.

Shreyas Iyer in place of Murali Vijay:

Murali Vijay has been another such player who has failed to score the substantial amount of runs of late, especially in overseas conditions.

Vijay had a fantastic tour of England back in 2014. However, this particular series has been a nightmare for Vijay. He registered a pair in the second Test at Lord’s.

Vijay has not left the ball well which he had done so well earlier in England and Australia. Well, there is no doubt that age is catching up with him.

Hence in all likelihood, the selectors might drop him for the last two Tests. For a replacement, Shreyas Iyer might be included who has been around the international radar for quite a while.

Iyer is yet to make his debut in the Test circuit.

Sanju Samson in place of Dinesh Karthik:

Dinesh Karthik was the top scorer at the top of the order for India when they won the Test series in England back in 2007.

In the absence of Wriddhiman Saha, Karthik came into the tour as a frontline wicket-keeper batsman. However, after seeing his performances in the first two Tests, it seems highly unlikely that the team management would retain him for the final two Tests.

Karthik is already in the last phase of his career. However, his experience would have given India that edge. But standing at this point, the team management needs to make some changes.

Sanju Samson who has been a star attraction in the shortest format might well get a nod in place of Karthik for the last couple of Tests.

Mohammed Siraj in the pace of Umesh Yadav:

Umesh Yadav bagged a solitary wicket in the first Test in Birmingham. However, he was far from impressive. He was unable to bowl on the same line and lengths on a consistent basis.

Hence he went for a few runs and was subsequently dropped from the Lord’s Test. Mohammed Siraj, on the other hand, has been playing in England for a long time. He even castled Alastair Cook with a stunning delivery.

Hence there is every possibility that Siraj might be drafted in place of Umesh for India against England in a final couple of Tests as one of the four possible replacements.