Possible changes in the team India for the Nagpur Test

Possible changes in the team India for the Nagpur Test: The third Test between India and South Africa will be held at Nagpur in a few days. Local fans are expecting another good performance from their team to seal the upcoming series. Though India had not had good memories against Proteas at Nagpur as the batting order was dismantled by Dale Steyn who got 7/51 in the first innings and a 10-wicket haul in the match to set up an inning win during the 2010 Test series.

Though the pitch at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground in Nagpur traditionally assists the quicks it won’t last longer to bother the Indian batsmen. After two Tests South Africa has more issues to address than the home team and now they might even be forced to go in without Steyn which further weakens their bowling.

India should play to its strengths and even if the surface has initial assistance for the quicks go in with three spinners, the management has to understand Stuart Binny isn’t the answer even if you are looking for a seam-bowling all-rounder and is a liability for the team. Amit Mishra’s inclusion looks obvious unless of course skipper Kohli wants to add another pacer and should still replace Binny with Umesh Yadav who struck a hat-trick against Rajasthan since he was released from the Indian squad. And if the team wants an all-rounder they can well opt for Gurkeerat Singh Mann who has been travelling with the team and has maintained his place in the squad for the last two Tests.

The only possible batting change is swapping Mumbaikar’s Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane. Rahane has been quite ordinary thus far and Rohit scored a good century in domestic cricket. He was also the in-form batsman for India in the limited overs matches and on the back of it all deserves a chance. Shikhar Dhawan who had hit a hundred the last time he played before this series returned with a pair in the first Test but in the 107 balls he batted in the washed out Bengaluru Test left well enough to have a stable stay in the middle. His 45* will give him a lot of confidence and with the consistent Murali Vijay continuing to do what he is expected to do India will definitely have better starts.

The Indian bowling has looked quite settled rather they have unsettled the South African so much so that, they have never been able to take off and impose pressure on them. Ravichandran Ashwin continues his golden run and can be termed the best spinner in international cricket today, the comeback man Ravindra Jadeja has continued his heavy wicket taking run from Ranji Trophy. Their pacers have come up with complementary wickets and though Ishant and Aaron bowled with discipline and a plan in Bengaluru, Ashwin and Jaddu stole the show in the only innings that was played.

Squad wise, strategy wise and in the overall approach India has an edge over the Proteas going into the 3rd Test and can well take a defining lead in the series. To chance anything South Africa first need to alter their mindset, get rid of the fear of spin, and stop worrying about the demon in the pitch which hasn’t appeared in broad light but has haunted them.

Possible changes in the team India for the Nagpur Test:

1. Replace Amit Mishra with Stuart Binny if opting for a 3 spinners strategy.

2. If Kohli wants to go in with 2 spinners and 3 pacers Umesh Yadav should get a nod ahead to join Varun Aaron and Ishant Sharma.

3. All-rounder Gurkeerat Singh Mann deserves a chance as well.

4. The only batting change can be Rohit Sharma walking in for Ajinkya Rahane.

Written by Manami Saha Mondal