FIVE THINGS INDIA MUST DO TO WIN

With three more Tests to go, HT looks at what the team needs to do to bounce back in Bengaluru:

Catches

The team has rewritten a number of records over the past 10 Tests in the 13-match home season but dropping at least 23 catches in that period is something they wouldn’t have preferred to. At Pune, Steve Smith was dropped four times in his second innings, and he went onto score at on that took the game away from the hosts.

Fielding positions

Apart from putting down sitters, the team also needs specialists to take up proper positions in the field. The team is yet to settle dow non a fixed setup.

DRS

There are no cookies on offer for one to realise that this side is yet to come to terms with the system as a number of calls are still taken in haste. While teams usually opt for the decision review system only when they are convinced, Indians can often be seen availing them out of hope, not conviction.

Opening stand

For a side that had posted more than 600 run son the board in three successive Tests before the Pune match, there shouldn’t be too many issues with the batting line-up. However, often, India has failed to find their openers providing them that platform.

Pile up runs

No matter how good a bowling attack is or how poor maybe the condition of a pitch, getting bundled out twice in a Test for a little over 100 runs cannot be justified.