Richard Mann previews the third Test between England and India at Trent Bridge with Joe Root's side bidding to seal series victory following their thumping win at Lord's last week.
Recommended bets: Third Test - England v India
3pts Virat Kohli top first innings India batsman at 2/1
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Having arrived in England with genuine belief that they could finally boast the tools needed to win in foreign conditions, a batting line-up led by the world's best in Virat Kohli and a battery of pace bowlers that could match the home side's own seam attack, India now find themselves on the brink of another embarrassing series defeat away from home.
Having been routed by an innings and 159 runs at Lord's last week, the tourists are currently 2-0 down with three games to play and facing the prospect of James Anderson and Stuart Broad circling for the kill at Trent Bridge on Saturday.
It's a real shame that despite all of their hard work, a win over England in the earlier T20 series and then having come so desperately close to taking the first Test at Edgbaston, India's tour is now on the brink of disaster following three poor days in London.
In truth, India didn't enjoy the rub of the green at Lord's. Losing the toss and batting first in desperately tough circumstances - a pitch tinged with green and gloomy overhead conditions - would have been a serious handicap for any side, but for a subcontinent batting line-up facing Anderson, armed with a new Dukes ball, it was only ever going to end one way.
The fact India choose to field two spinners, even after the first day was completely washed out and more rain was forecast, only dented their chances further and a limp effort with the bat second time around meant that any prospect of the visitors escaping from London with a draw never looked like materialising.
As they did in the first Test, India's seamers performed well with Mohammed Shami again troubling England's top order with swing and sharp pace and his efforts deserved more than his three wickets.
Ravi Ashwin bowled well once more, despite Kohli inexplicably holding him back until India had no runs to play with, and whatever conditions he is faced with, he will continue to worry England's left-handers with Ben Stokes' expected return giving him another 'leftie' to get to work on.
India's own swing king, Khuvneshwar Kumar, is still working his way back to full fitness but the sight of Jasprit Bumrah bowling in the nets at Nottingham over the last few days - minus the cast he has been wearing to protect his broken left thumb - will have been a big boost to Kohli who will be desperate to have another of his key bowling weapons at his disposal. Should Bumrah get the nod, his pace and unusual action will be a threat.
However, while England have concerns about their top order, India have far greater worries in that department with the over-reliance on Kohli reaching critical stage.
On the tour of South Africa earlier in the year, Kohli was the only top order Indian batsman to record respectable numbers - 286 runs at an average of 47.66 - while Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara and Shikhar Dhawan all averaged below 20.
That tale of woe has continued in England with Kohli's majestic 149 at Edgbaston showing him to be light years ahead of his colleagues who have all struggled on these shores so far.
Ajinkya Rahane's return to the team has only strengthened the suspicion that he isn't the player he once was while Pujara, Vijay and Dhawan have looked all at sea against the moving ball.
In stark contrast, Kolhi has now found a method to succeed in these conditions and though he didn't have the impact he would have liked at Lord's, he still looked the most assured of the visiting batsman and the 2/1 available for him to be India's top first innings batsman at Trent Bridge is more than fair.
"Be prepared to look ugly and dirty and show some grit" - @RaviShastriOfc says there can be no excuses about the English conditions, while giving a positive update on the fitness of @imVkohli.
— ICC (@ICC) August 16, 2018
➡️ https://t.co/lpcCIrp46f pic.twitter.com/P5THMhGO4Y
James Anderson picked up nine wickets for for 43 runs at Lord's and his Test record at Trent Bridge - 60 wickets at 18.95 - suggests he will be top of many lists for England bowling honours at 2/1 this week.
Despite just turning 36 years of age, Anderson has arguably never bowled better and since the start of 2017 he has taken 86 wickets at 17.77. Some going when you consider that period included a tough tour of Australia where England were on the receiving end of a 4-0 drubbing.
Anderson's test average has now dipped below 27 for the first time since the very early days of his international career and his battle with Kohli - one of the highlights of the summer so far - should continue to keep fans gripped.
ICYMI, @jimmy9 has crossed the coveted 900 point mark in the latest @MRFWorldwide ICC Test Rankings!
— ICC (@ICC) August 15, 2018
➡️ https://t.co/GXVFVors2B pic.twitter.com/hvF7hfspJL
However, Kohli aside, England's attack will be queuing up to have a bowl at an Indian batting line-up short of confidence against the moving ball and the likes of Broad and Chris Woakes should give Anderson plenty of competition for top England bowling honours. As such, no bet looks the call in this market.
Despite the strength of England's bowling attack in home conditions, their efforts have done little to remedy the problems they encountered on flat Australian pitches in a disappointing winter only months ago.
The England attack is still missing a genuine 90mph bowler to turn to when there is no swing on offer while the top order has seen another change in personnel, Ollie Pope replacing Dawid Malan following the collective failings of a batting line-up that continues to rely heavily on Joe Root and a resilient middle and lower order.
Should the sun reappear at some point over the next few weeks, and Kohli get some much-needed support with the bat, India - available at 100/30 for the third Test - could easily test England like they did an excellent South African side back in the winter but with Trent Bridge promising more assistance for Anderson and co, the tourists look set for another examination by swing.
Should they fail it, the series will be lost.
Posted at 2200 BST on 16/08/18.
