Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
So, it has already come down to this.
For India, it was paramount they made a good start to the series, like they did in 2014. They could have won the first Test, which was followed by an absolute abomination at Lord’s. Think of a movie that promised plenty and had you keen for the sequel, which turned to crap.
For England, Ben Stokes is back in the squad. Whether you agree with his inclusion or not, his return is a bonus for England, who are now gunning for a series win, literally in the blink of an eye. Who misses out for him? It is a big call.
With different combinations possible, and a range of opinions out there, I thought I would put together the XIs I would choose for both sides in this all-important third Test. This is assuming conditions at Trent Bridge are relatively cool during the match, with possibilities of rain throughout.
England:
Like India, the make up of England’s side is uncertain. Here is my team, with explanations below!
1. Alastair Cook: Short on runs, but England have yet to properly replace Andrew Strauss who retired six years ago. Cook will still get a run.
2. Keaton Jennings: Jennings should get another run with England winning, but he needs runs to clamp down that opening spot. An option could be to promote Bairstow to opener, but opening against the red ball is a whole other ball game.
3. Joe Root: Obvious one. Needs to convert his starts to bigger scores. I sound like a broken record, but it has to be done.
4. Ollie Pope: Promising debut at Lord’s. Even with Ben Stokes in the side, Pope remains England’s best option for number four right now. If you leave Pope out, who bats at four, especially if Bairstow continues to keep?
5. Ben Stokes: Slots back into the team. Can now focus solely on cricket. His bowling was brilliant at Edgbaston. Can he perform well with the bat?
6. Jonny Bairstow (wk): In very good touch at the moment.
7. Jos Buttler: I was really thinking hard as to whether Buttler makes my team. Do you pick a spinner or have Buttler in the side? I’d stick with Buttler.
8. Chris Woakes: Centurion with four wickets at Lord’s. Enough said.
9. Sam Curran: There is no way this guy can be left out. If it wasn’t for him, India would have been 1-0 up and it would have been a completely different series. Adil Rashid misses out for me, even though it’s a risk not playing a spinner, even in England.
England v South Africa 2012, anyone? But, Trent Bridge is the least fruitful English ground for England spinners in Tests, averaging 35.89 at the venue.
10. Stuart Broad: Broke into the all-time top ten wicket takers. Very good in home conditions. Obvious selection.
11. James Anderson: Will get a rest if England take the series in the third Test. Eyeing out Glenn McGrath’s record of 561 Test wickets.
So, England have five genuine bowling options by going with this line up. Could be a positive or negative, depending on how well Joe Root manages his bowlers. Sam Curran has proved he is good enough to stay in the team. With England unlikely to provide conditions that suit spin too much, I’d have Rashid sitting out.
India:
Lord’s was a horror show for India, stemming from a long run of disappointing batting performances in “S.E.N.A”. Will this be the Test that their batsmen, in particular, fire? There will be some controversial selections to some, but hear me out!
1. Shikhar Dhawan: India left Shikhar Dhawan out at Lord’s, but it didn’t help their cause. Yes, Dhawan has his issues away from home, but he should get a chance here with KL Rahul and Murali Vijay really struggling at the top.
2. Cheteshwar Pujara: This is a very interesting selection on my part. Of course, Pujara should be in the XI, but I’d open with him. At Lord’s, India lost their first wicket in each innings before a run was scored. Pujara batted time in the second innings, and he is capable of it again to try blunt the new ball. Also, Dhawan and Pujara could complement each other well. It’s a risk, but what else is working for India?
3. Virat Kohli: Virat Kohli should move up to three. There is already enough responsibility on his shoulders, so he should just come in at first drop and take further control. India must hope he is fit.
4. Karun Nair: Kohli should also go to first drop to accommodate Karun Nair at number four. He has scored 227 in his last three games for India A in England. Give him a chance.
5. Ajinkya Rahane: There is lots of pressure on Rahane after a continued poor run of form, but I’d give him another chance. He must show more appetite for the fight.
6. KL Rahul: Struggle at opener and number three for KL Rahul. I’d bat him down at six in these conditions, with the onus on the top order to provide a good platform.
7. Rishabh Pant (wk): Dinesh Karthik is having a shocker of a time. DK out, Pant in.
8. Ravichandran Ashwin: My all-rounder for India in this Test. After all, he was their best batsman at Lord’s!
9. Mohammed Shami: Bowled well in patches at Lord’s. Has wicket taking ability, does Shami.
10. Jasprit Bumrah: Back from injury, and should slot in.
11. Ishant Sharma: Only Indian to score a century at Lord’s, but his excellent first Test, and promising FC performances before that, still makes Sharma a key man.
For India, I’ve gone with four bowlers to accommodate extra batting cushion. Boy, do they need it.
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So, there we have it.
Do you agree with my two teams? Leave a comment.
It will be interesting to see which way the two sides go. Here’s to a more competitive match.
