The last time India stepped foot in England in 2014 for a Test series, three batsmen came with a lot of expectations. Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli were supposed to fill the void left by Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar but eventually returned home with a big blot in their respective resumes.
James Anderson and Stuart Broad ruthlessly exposed their weaknesses against the swinging ball as the Indian batting order was reduced to shambles in a matter of six weeks. Dhawan, who made way for Gautam Gambhir after the first three Tests, made just 122 runs while Pujara made 222 runs in five games with a 55 in the first Test at Nottingham being his highest score. Kohli was the worst of the lot, managing a mere 134 runs in five outings, his status as the numero uno batsman coming under question. All three now return to the Old Blighty with a major point to prove.
Of the three though, Kohli’s batting will be closely watched, simply because he is the leader of the Indian team and is now considered one of best batsmen in world cricket across formats. A master of chases in limited overs, he loves taking up responsibility, often orchestrating many a win on his own. That go-getter attitude has been highly visible in whites as well, the Delhiite scoring 14 of his 21 centuries while captaining the side.
While Kohli may have said he isn’t bothered much about his personal form if India can notch up a fourth series triumph in England, much of it will depend on the heroics of the skipper. A couple of big knocks will set his confidence soaring, much-needed for a cricketer who thrives on aggression.
Good form will also play a part in his captaincy. If he does well, coming in at the crucial number four position, it will help him be proactive, ensuring the decision-making process is an easier task. Poor hits will only further his headaches and the last thing he would want is worrying about himself and the team. Kohli will also be aware that if England open him up again, it would hurt his pride and provide the hosts a huge impetus. His form in the preceding six-match limited-overs series has been good and if he can carry that forward for the next six weeks, India can afford to dream big.
Pujara, whose form this year has dipped alarmingly from the highs of 2017, knows another disastrous away series could sharpen the knives further. The Saurashtrian has more often not walked the tightrope, thanks to his poor showings outside Asia, and the task this time has got a whole lot tougher. Unpicked for IPL, he played the County Championship and his returns too hasn’t been noteworthy, further denting his preparations. But, batting under duress is nothing new to him and it’s imperative he flourishes. Plenty of young batsmen are waiting in the wings and for a guy who is yet to make the No 3 slot his permanent residence despite playing 58 Tests, he knows time may be running out.
Uncertainty revolves around Dhawan, who notched up two ducks in the practice game against Essex last week. He struggled in seaming conditions in South Africa and like Pujara, has often come a cropper in non-Asian conditions. The left-handed opener spent a long time batting during Monday’s nets session here at Edgbaston and it remains to be seen if he’ll get the nod over an in-form KL Rahul to partner Murali Vijay at the top.
All three face will a stern examination from Wednesday. For Kohli, it could be the defining moment of his captaincy while Dhawan and Pujara will be eager to shed their flat-track bully image.