3 Bold changes India must make to strengthen their playing XI

After a hard-fought start to the Test series, India might need to consider a few tactical tweaks to keep their edge intact. While the team has shown resilience, a few underperforming spots and strategic imbalances have raised eyebrows. With key moments coming up in the series, there’s talk of changes to the playing XI and names like Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Arshdeep Singh are at the center of that conversation.

Karun Nair’s return to the squad came as a surprise to many. Though he brings experience and a triple century to his name, his long break from the Test setup and recent form have left room for debate. India could instead opt for Dhruv Jurel, a promising young wicketkeeper-batter. With Rishabh Pant playing solely as a batter post-recovery, including Jurel would bring better balance to the side giving India a solid glove-man and a dependable lower-order batter.

The second change could involve bringing in Nitish Kumar Reddy in place of Shardul Thakur. While Shardul has often stepped in as a “bits-and-pieces” player, his recent outings have lacked bite with both bat and ball. NKR, on the other hand, has been making noise with consistent performances in domestic cricket and IPL. He’s a pace-bowling all-rounder with a good temperament, and his inclusion could give India an extra edge in seamer-friendly conditions.

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Tactical Changes That Could Give India the Balance and Firepower They Need

In the pace department, Prasidh Krishna has raw pace but has struggled with control. Arshdeep Singh, with his left-arm variation and ability to swing the ball both ways, offers a more reliable option. His white-ball experience under pressure and his calmness in tense moments make him a strong pick for red-ball cricket too.

These changes aren’t just about fixing what’s broken they’re about refining a winning combination. With these three swaps, India could field a team that’s better suited for the conditions, more balanced across departments, and ready to finish games strong. The talent is there now it’s about making the right calls at the right time.