Changes likely in India's bowling

The Indian playing XI that lost to England by an innings and 76 runs in the third Test at Headingley, last week is likely to ring in changes to the bowling attack due to the short turnaround in the last three Test matches.

The last three Test matches, including the one that concluded at Headingley are being played inside three weeks and with the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the T20 World Cup coming up over the next two-and-a-half months, the pace bowlers may require some rest.

"That (rotation) is bound to happen. That is a very logical and sensible thing to do. You obviously don't want to push individuals to a place where they break, so that conversation is very important and a very sensible and logical," India skipper Virat Kohli had said after the end of the the third Test.

On the basis of performance, R Ashwin or Shardul Thakur coming in for offcolour Ishant Sharma looks the most obvious change.

Both Ashwin and Thakur could also come in if the team management decides to also rest one of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami or Mohammed Siraj besides Ishant.

Ishant, although part of Delhi Capitals in IPL, won't be in India's scheme for the T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and will, therefore, not have as long a season as Jasprit Bumrah, who will definitely be part of India's T20 squad. Mohammed Shami could also be.

Apart from being key to India's T20 World Cup campaign, Bumrah will also be key to Mumbai Indians during the remainder of IPL, that begins on September 19. Shami too is Punjab Kings' lead bowler in the IPL.