IND vs ENG 2021: 3 India players who may not feature in the 2nd Test at Lord's
It was a shame that after four days of riveting Test cricket, the fifth day of the first Test between England and India was washed out by rain. Both teams fought hard and had a decent chance to win the match.
India had issues with their batting as the upper middle-order once again failed to deliver. The bowling, however, was brilliant as a four-pronged pace attack took all 20 wickets, for only the second time in Indian cricketing history.
India players who might be absent for the Lord's Test
The conditions for the second Test at Lord's could certainly be different to that at Trent Bridge. This could force Team India to make a few changes to their team combination.
With the next Test to be played from Thursday, let's have a look at three players who may not make the XI.
#3 Mohammed Siraj
A niggle to Ishant Sharma meant that Mohammed Siraj got the nod in Nottingham. The speedster had done well in the 2020-21 Test series Down Under, where he picked up thirteen wickets.
While Siraj was impressive in patches at Trent Bridge, his line and length were a bit erratic and at times he wasn't able to control the flow of runs. Ishant Sharma's experience could come in handy as he not only swings the ball but is also economical.
If Ishant Sharma is fit and available for the second Test, Virat Kohli will be tempted to go with the lanky speedster. With more than a hundred Tests under his belt, Ishant Sharma could prove to be the better option than the inexperienced Siraj.
#2 Shardul Thakur
India went in with a four-pronged pace attack at Trent Bridge as the conditions were suitable for swing bowling. Shardul Thakur was seen as an all-round option as he contributed with both bat and ball in the one Test that he played Down Under.
Although he couldn't contribute much with the bat, Thakur bowled really well and picked up a couple of wickets in each innings at Nottingham. His four wickets in the game were important as they put India in the driver's seat in the first Test.
That said, Ravichandran Ashwin is arguably the best off-spinner in the world at the moment. Many people questioned his exclusion from the playing XI for the first match and believe he should get a look in for the Lord's Test.
If conditions favor spin and the pitch is dry, India might consider playing both Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Ashwin can also bat down the order and could be the perfect replacement for Shardul Thakur.
#1 Ajinkya Rahane
One of the big concerns for Team India would be the form of Ajinkya Rahane. The Indian Test vice-captain was once their premier batsman in overseas conditions but that no longer seems to be the case.
For the short time he was at the crease, Rahane looked fidgety and was unable to dictate terms to the opposition. His run out on five would have only added to the woes. Rahane didn't get an opportunity in the second innings due to rain.
The way in which Rahane is getting dismissed is something that will frustrate both him and the team management. Time could be running out for Ajinkya Rahane in the Indian Test team with the likes of Suryakumar Yadav and Hanuma Vihari waiting in the wings.