England vs India 2014: What India needs to do in the fourth Test

A disappointing loss for Team India atSouthampton, after they were defeated in almost all the aspects of the game (includingpoor slip fielding). The main reason for the loss was the poor batting display in Indias 1st innings despite a nice batting track followed by some decent (not extraordinary) piece of spin bowling from Moeen Ali in the 2nd with help from the 5th day pitch.It was a comprehensive win for England who ended their Test win drought and had their under pressure senior players scoring big runs. The fourth Test may as well decide the winner of this rare 5-match Test series; hence, it is very critical from Indias as well as Englands perspective to win this game. And its not going to be easy.Heres a list of things Duncan Fletcher and MS Dhoni must take into consideration for the next game:

#1 Play Gautam Gambhir

ICC's Test player of the Year (2009) has been warming the bench for the last 3 Tests, seeing India’s primary opener Shikhar Dhawan struggling outside the off stump just like Gambhir did on India’s last visit here although I have noticed a slight change in Gambhir’s technique outside the off stump in the practice matches before the series began (a fluent 21* against Derbyshire and a solid 54* against Leicestershire).

Gambhir also scored a flamboyant century last August for Essex in County Cricket, Gambhir was prepared to wait for the loose balls but also didn't lose out on opportunities to take a lot of singles. He also tended to leave balls outside the off stump. It is very important for India to get a good, solid opening stand which they haven’t got so far in this series and a calm, technically sound Gambhir along with Vijay has the ability to deliver that.

Dhawan in England: Innings – 6, Runs – 122,  Avg - 20.33