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Big Changes India Could Make In 4th Test Vs England After Painful Defeat At Lord's

Rajgeeta Yadav

Team India [Source: AP Photos]Team India [Source: AP Photos]

Team India is currently nursing heartbreak after a narrow 22-run defeat at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in the third Test against England. With England now leading the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2-1, India face a must-win situation as they head into the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Manchester, from July 23 to 27. 

To bounce back, the team management might make a few key changes to the playing XI after nail-biting defeat to England. Let’s break down the possible changes:

1. Karun Nair Out - Sai Sudharsan In

Karun Nair has struggled to make a strong impact in the series so far. As a top-order batter, he was expected to convert promising starts into substantial scores, but that hasn’t happened. Across six innings, he has managed only 131 runs at an average of 21.83, not good enough for someone batting at number three.

Karun Nair - Combined Batting Stats (Last 3 Tests)

Matches Played
Total Runs
Innings
Average
Strike Rate
3131621.8352.61

Karun may be replaced by Sai Sudharsan, a young and talented batter. Although Sai had a nervous start in the first Test, scoring a duck and then 30 runs, he has shown promise in domestic cricket and is known for his calm and solid batting style. The team management may feel it’s time to give him another shot.

2. Reddy Or Sundar - Who Will Be Dropped?

India have been playing with all-rounders -- Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar. While both have done their bit in limited opportunities, questions are being raised about their consistency with the bat.

Sundar made history at Lord’s by delivering the best bowling performance by an Indian spinner at the ground in the 21st century, taking 4 wickets for just 22 runs. Once projected as R Ashwin's successor, he has also contributed with useful lower-order runs in earlier matches. Therefore, given his form with the ball, he's expected to retain his place.

Reddy, on the other hand, has not been able to convert his starts into big scores. Over the last four innings, his aggregate of 45 runs speaks volumes. His bowling hasn't made up for the lack of runs he made. 

Hence, it would be a safer option to replace him with Shardul Thakur, who offers more experience in England and can swing the ball better in those conditions.

Nevertheless, India, despite the loss, are unlikely to make too many changes as the margin of errors were so little. The BCCI think tank values stability and may stick with the current group of all-rounders, hoping they find form in the crucial fourth Test to take the series to a blockbuster decider.

India Probable Playing XI vs England

Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja,  Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj