It has not been an easy two Test matches for India. From headlines, snippets of interviews with Kohli and the general reaction on Twitter (mainly from Indian cricket fans), it would seem as if India are in a deep crisis salvageable only by some massive reform in Indian cricket. This, of course, is not true.

The first Test match was evenly fought, with England’s resilience allowing them a slight edge in the final, critical stages of the game. The second Test was embarrassing – but the weather certainly didn’t help, and nor did Kohli’s back injury which seemed to hamper the mood of the Indian team as much as it hampered the captain himself.

But there are three matches left. The Indian cricket team are professional athletes who will back themselves to win three back-to-back Test matches. Kohli’s recovery will be important psychologically and statistically, but so too will be the Indian selection. As professionals, the India management and the India team will know that they must now control every variable they possibly can.

This is how India can, through their team selection, maximise their chances of victory at Trent Bridge, bearing in mind the likely playing conditions and the weaknesses of the English middle order which – despite the typically zealous optimism of late – still haunt the English Test side.

Jasprit Bumrah for Kuldeep Yadav

Pandya is India’s best all-rounder but he has been completely ineffective in red-ball cricket so far. Despite limited Test experience, Karun Nair has a good record against England. His 303* in Chennai (in admittedly perfect batting conditions) is the most obvious example. His captaincy of Rahul Dravid’s India ‘A’ team and his performance in high-pressure IPL situations surely go some way in proving his psychological resilience. His technical inclination to play the ball late could also be helpful at Trent Bridge, where it will swing both ways.