After India’s disappointing loss against England in the fourth Test of the five-match series, three players are likely to find themselves out of the playing XI.
While the series is done and dusted, the final Test is about salvaging pride and ending the tour positively.
Apart from the Lord’s Test, India have been competitive, often losing the game in clutch moments.
This inability to capitalise on momentum can be put down to the inconsistency of three players in the team.
1. Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan’s last ten innings read: 17, 23, 44, 35, 13, 26, 107, 16, 16, 67.
He is one of those players who can hammer a hundred on a cement deck and retain his place on the back of that performance. The last one of these came against Afghanistan, in Bengaluru, when India scored a mammoth 474 on a dry pitch and bundled the opposition out twice in a row.
Before this, there was the ton against Sri Lanka in Pallekele.
The left-hander’s technique is not suited to playing the swinging ball. Dhawan finds himself constantly pushing at balls in the channel, and often edging to the slips or gully.
If this is not the mode of dismissal, then there is the LBW, as his head tends to fall over while playing the incoming ball. What’s worse is that he shows no effort to play to the conditions.
At 32 years of age, it looks like the end of the road for Dhawan, with young opener Prithvi Shaw included in the squad.
Photo: AAP
2. Hardik Pandya
Yes, he has taken a five-wicket haul, yes, he made a fifty, but Pandya’s contributions have been few and far between.
The allrounder, along with Virat Kohli, has been the only constant in India’s Test scheme. While those around him have been chopped and changed, the team management is finding it difficult to drop Pandya.
His last ten Test scores read: 0, 4, 52*, 18, 26, 11, 31, 22, 71, 4 – an underwhelming contribution. Meanwhile, the number of overs he has bowled in his last ten innings: 9, 8, 14, 6, 17, 1, DNB, 10, 4, 5.
Pandya doesn’t have much work to do as a fourth seamer and it’s not like he is taking a truckload of wickets either.
India are better off replacing him with a specialist batsman and having the extra cushion of runs, which is the department where the team have struggled the most.
3. Ravichandran Ashwin
Ashwin is a legend at home, dominating batsmen on the spitting dust-turners of the subcontinent.
However, being the team’s sole spinner, he must make use of dry conditions on overseas pitches. It must have been heartbreaking for Indian fans to watch an English spinner getting eight wickets in the match, while their once top-ranked bowler could only manage three.
Removing Ashwin from the one-day setup has had a negative impact on his game, using more variations than required. Maybe dropping him is a bit harsh, but Ravindra Jadeja is waiting for a chance.
Ravi Ashwin might need a bit of time to reflect.
Aanirudh Kheterpal
Roar Rookie
Yes maybe Harvey. But being the only spinner, he hasn't taken the responsibility he could have. Why not try a different spinner on the fifth test?
Aanirudh Kheterpal
Roar Rookie
I think they have shown technique, Paul, but only Kohli has shown it consistently. Pujara and Rahane have reminded us they can do it, but haven't done it like the skipper. And for you point about being the "top-ranked" team, I fell they aren't really worthy to be deemed the top ranked team with the sort of performances such as at Lords. As for Pandya, he really has to be replaced, and if Cricinfo's news is to be trusted, there are reports that he may be replaced by Hunuma Vihari the new youngster.
Aanirudh Kheterpal
Roar Rookie
Fair point. Only Kohli has shown the consistency.
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
A bit harsh on Ashwin. Sure the pitches aren't great for him, but he does have 11 wickets at 32. Sharma and Shami only have 15 and 14 respecively. Ashwin has also scored more runs than Rahul who is opening!
DingoGray
Roar Guru
They won't drop Ashwin. He's also carrying an injury
Paul
Roar Guru
I think a case could be made for dropping any one of the top 7 players with the exception of Kohli. Not one has shown the same degree of purpose as Kohli for any more than an innings and none have adapted their techniques to leave the ball when it's outside off stump or playing straight to deliveries on the stumps. The number of changes you're suggesting would be very unsettling for the team as a whole and a clear admission of defeat. That's not a good look from the top ranked team in Test cricket, which is why I think change will be minimal. Dhawan will go as you suggest, but Ashwin will stay and the love affair with Pandiya will continue ( I hope he stays for all 4 Australian Tests, he won't make a run and will probably go for at least 4 an over). Guys don't get Test averages of 40 plus without being very good players. India simply needs its very good players to go back to basics, apply themselves and bat like its a Test match. The rest will take care of itself.
Caractacus
Guest
Moeen actually took nine wickets and could have been ten if England didn't always throw away all their reviews in the first ten minutes. I think the series has been competitive and fantastic to watch but only because of Kohli, without him India would have been hammered and that by an English team with a top order that are four down for next to nothing in every game.