#IndiaInEngland: Will Rahane make way for Pujara?
India and England square up against each other in the second Test match at Lord's from Thursday. The visitors suffered a 31-run loss at Edgbaston. Besides Virat Kohli, no Indian batsman rose up to the occasion. Going into the game at Lord's, India need to address certain key issues and it is likely that Ajinkya Rahane would be axed. Here we decode that possibility.
India's openers need to be backed
Going by the performances in the first Test, India should give their openers another chance. The duo Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay had added 50+ runs for the first wicket in the 1st innings. This shows that there is hope. Vijay was trapped LBW in both innings and Dhawan's footwork did him in. In all likelihood, they will turn up at Lord's.
Rahul to continue in at number 3
KL Rahul played a reckless shot in the first innings and then got out off a brilliant delivery by Ben Stokes for 13 in the 2nd innings. Rahul has been one of India's in-form batsman this season and given he is one of the brightest prospects, he is likely to be given another go. Rahul could retain his number 3 position.
It leaves us with only one candidate Rahane
Ajinkya Rahane is having a dismal run in Tests since the series against Sri Lanka at home in November 2017. He was dropped for the 1st two Tests against South Africa earlier this year, but returned back in the 3rd. Rahane even struggled in the one-off Test against Afghanistan in June. At Edgbaston, the issues for him continued.
Pujara in for Rahane a possible scenario
There's nothing much to separate, with both of them struggling. But given Kohli has the knack of changing his side in every Test, Pujara could come in. It would see Rahane being benched. Pujara could be tried at number 5. With his ability to defend and tire out bowlers, Pujara stakes a claim if Kohli continues to tweak the XI.
