Team India may have emerged victorious in the Birmingham Test, but skipper Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir are unlikely to be fully satisfied with the performance of two specific players.
These players failed to live up to expectations, and the team management may now opt for fresh options in the third Test at Lord’s.
As a result, two promising cricketers could finally receive their maiden Test caps. One of them has been waiting patiently for quite some time.
Karun Nair’s Place in Doubt
Karun Nair, who featured in the first two Tests of the England tour, has so far failed to make an impression.
He was first tested at number 6, but didn’t deliver. In the next match, he was promoted to number 3, yet the results were no different. Given his inconsistent showings, the team management may now consider a major change.
Abhimanyu Easwaran could replace Nair
In his place, Abhimanyu Easwaran—a solid performer and former captain of India A—could finally make his debut.
Easwaran has been a regular name in the Indian Test squad for several series but is yet to play an official match. His consistent domestic performances and experience with India A make him a strong contender to break into the playing XI at Lord’s.
Arshdeep Singh in Line for Debut
The pitch at Lord’s Cricket Ground is expected to offer assistance to pacers, with reports suggesting a green top surface.
This may encourage the team to field four fast bowlers. If that happens, Nitish Kumar Reddy, who struggled with both bat and ball in the second Test, may lose his spot in the XI.
His likely replacement is Arshdeep Singh, the talented left-arm pacer known for his swing bowling. Arshdeep has been part of India’s white-ball setup and is considered a strong option in conditions like Lord’s. His inclusion could bring much-needed variation to India’s pace attack.