India will have to win the Third match at Trent Bridge, starting August 18. Already 0-2 down in the five-match Test series, the Indian team will have to win to keep the series alive. However, the batting line-up has failed to live up to its billing so far. The bowlers have still performed in patches; however, the batsmen, except for Virat Kohli have been a big letdown.

Openers Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay and KL Rahul have failed to score big. Leave aside big, but then haven’t been able to manage decent scores.

India’s middle order comprising of Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane and Dinesh Karthik haven’t fired either, except for the skipper. Not one batsman has been able to steady the sinking Indian innings in either of the four innings played out, so far.

All-rounder Hardik Pandya hasn’t really fired either. With no sparkling performances, either in batting or in bowling, the 24-year-old cricketer has faced severe criticism from all quarters.

The only good sign for the Indian team is that the bowling unit has clicked well in the series. Ravichandran Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, and Mohammed Shami have all performed well in different patches. However, consistency still remains a concern.

India’s Likely XI at Trent Bridge Test: Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah.

Going into the third Test match, the captain and the team management will have to think over several changes in the side. Resting Dinesh Karthik, KL Rahul, and Kuldeep Yadav should be their ideal changes (and why?) during the third Test match.

There are strong possibilities that the 20-year-old Rishabh Pant will be making his Test debut for the Indian team in Nottingham. However, how much of an impact does he have on the game is for time to tell.

Come Saturday, the Indian team would be looking for nothing less than a win. As for England, they know that a win, here in the third match, will give them an unassailable lead over the visitors.

Who according to you should be in the first playing XI of the Indian team? Let us know in the comments section below. Stay tuned with us, for all the latest updates about India vs England Test Series 2018!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 18, 2018 01:47 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).