England vs India, Tests: Visitors need to address key issues

The key task for Murali Vijay will be to fend off the advances of England bowlers with the new ball and absorb the pressure. Vijay has to do what he does best- leave the ball outside the off-stump. It was missing against South Africa and low scores followed.

He managed just 102 runs in South Africa earlier this year. When one looks at his dismissals there was a pattern. He often looked to attack half-volleys and the cover-drives ended with him being caught behind. He was out chasing the ball thrice in that series.

What made Vijay stick and grind out runs in 2014, was being patient. He watched the ball like a hawk and had all the time in the world. Perhaps the century against Afghanistan and the fifty in the warm-up match will help him set the basics right.

Pujara, at number three, is the issue. He has struggled in 2018 and the technique looks missing. Although he played County cricket in England recently, he hasn’t quite got the hang. Pujara’s main task will be to hang in there and tire the English bowlers.

2. Catches need to stick

India can’t afford to drop catches in the slip cordon. That often results in misery.  Slip catching has been a cause of concern for the Indian side. Against South Africa earlier, Indian slip fielders dropped aplenty in the first two Tests, which allowed the hosts to score important runs.

Kagiso Rabada was dropped off R Ashwin in the 2nd Test, with skipper Kohli missing a sitter. Then there was wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel, who too put down Faf du Plessis. In that Test, India dropped five catches in total and that accounted for the Proteas in getting extra 87 runs.

Shikhar Dhawan too dropped Keshav Maharaj, who went on to add valuable runs (36) in the first Test.  The scenario changed in the final Test, and India made a comeback, but against England, they need to be on their toes, if they hope for a solid start.

One feels India should go with three front-line pacers with Hardik Pandya being the fourth bowler. This will help keep balance amongst them and rotation will be key. With Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah injured, the three main pacers need to manage the workload well. The sharpness in bowling has somewhat disappeared with these injuries.

India need to react quickly and that’s where the others need to step him. One question lies on whether Mohammed Shami can get the ooze of confidence he enjoyed against South Africa. He was terrific there and was responsible for India’s victory in the 3rd Test. Since then the world turned upside down for him as things went awry both on and off the field.

His fitness could still be an issue and if can’t repeat the performance, then India have a back-up in Shardul Thakur. And he doesn’t quite got the factor to worry England.

R Ashwin is likely to come in as the lone spinner and he should be given a prominent role as well. Even if Kuldeep Yadav is selected, then their work in tandem needs to be balanced.

4. Can Karthik get the runs?

Wriddhiman Saha never quite scored the runs, expected out of a wicket-keeper batsman, in overseas conditions. An excellent keeper – Saha disappointed throughout with the bat.  Same goes for Parthiv Patel, who couldn’t cash in on the chances against the Proteas.

India have technically sound Dinesh Karthik, this time around. And the side needs him to come well. He got a valiant fifty in the warm-up game, but quality bowlers will await him at Edgbaston to start with. He has to score crucial runs in a position where India haven’t flourished. Can he come in at number 6 and be resourceful? England have Jos Buttler, who does a stellar job and now it’s time DK shows his hands.