India were crushed by an innings and 159 runs in the second Test against England at Lord’s. India not only went 2-0 down in the series but attracted severe criticism as they effectively lost inside two days.

India’s batsmen failed to bat even 50 overs in either innings with off-spinner Ravi Ashwin top-scoring in both innings. Their batsmen are under pressure to deliver, but the team can’t wait forever.

Here we take a look at the batsmen who can be brought into the playing XI over the next three Tests.

KARUN NAIR

The Karnataka batter has the unfortunate record of getting dropped after scoring a Test triple century. Nair replaced an injured Ajinkya Rahane towards the end of the five-Test series at home against England in 2016 and smashed a triple ton. But he had to make way for Rahane as soon as he became fit for the next Test against Bangladesh. But when he did get another chance, Nair’s top score was just 26 from four Test innings. Even so, he averages 51 in first-class cricket over five years and quite frankly, he can’t be much worse than the current lot.

RISHABH PANT

The Delhi wicket-keeper batsman is the next big thing in Indian cricket. Pant averages nearly 55 from 23 first-class matches and scored three fifties in four innings during the recent first-class tour of England with the India ‘A’ team. Many fans want to see him as India’s gloveman at some juncture during the next three Tests. With Dinesh Karthik’s horror show so far, Pant stands a good chance of making his Test debut.

MAYANK AGARWAL

Consistently one of the best batsmen in India’s domestic circuit. Amassed more than 2,000 runs for his state Karnataka in the 2017/18 season. And he recently scored a double century against South Africa ‘A’ in Bengaluru. Was part of the India ‘A’ team in England and scored three List A centuries. Deserves a chance at the highest level.

Opening batsman Prithvi Shaw.

PRITHVI SHAW

One of the most exciting talents to emerge on India’s batting horizon. Led the India U-19 side to the World Cup title earlier in the year. Since his first-class debut in 2017, has hit seven centuries in 14 matches. However, can be flashy outside the of-stump but he opens the batting, which means it’s a technique that works for him.

SHREYAS IYER

The runs have dried up for the Mumbai batsman but he has been earmarked as a potential star. Iyer averages 53 after almost 50 first-class matches but failed during the white-ball leg of India ‘A’ tour of England in June. Hasn’t had a big score in three months, which does not inspire confidence. Still, one of the best among the young crop.