4 players who are responsible for India's series defeat 

Experts and pundits felt this was India's best chance of winning a Test series in England. The England team wasn't in the best of form and was looking extremely vulnerable while the Indian team looked settled and had a squad that had the potential to win in any conditions. An all-round bowling-attack and an experienced batting line-up was the perfect combination for a winning team.

But unfortunately, India couldn't capitalize on the situation and lost the series 4-1. The Indian team should consider this an opportunity lost as they have missed a golden chance to beat England in England. While a lot of debatable tactics and strategies were also responsible for this defeat, below par performance of some of the key players was the main reason for the disappointing results.

Players who were expected to perform well failed to deliver which made it difficult for the team to dominate. We will look at 4 such players whose poor performances were responsible for India's series defeat against England.

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#4 Murali Vijay

Vijay bagged a pair in the second Test at Lords

Murali Vijay was supposed to play a crucial role in India's chances in the Test series. But, Vijay failed to deliver for the Indian team. The right-handed batsman scored only 26 runs in two Tests and looked helpless against the England seamers. He bagged a pair in the second Test at Lords and was thus dropped from the playing XI in the third Test.

Owing to his poor run, Vijay was eventually left out of the side for the last two Tests with the selectors preferring youngster Prithvi Shaw over him. The lack of solid starts from the Indian openers put extra pressure on the other batsmen which was a major reason for India's poor batting display. This series might prove crucial in Vijay's career as he might struggle to get back in the side.

#3 Hardik Pandya

Should India continue with Pandya in the Test team ?

Hardik Pandya was expected to play a key role for India in this series. He has been groomed as a Test all-rounder to provide balance to the team especially in overseas conditions. However, Pandya wasn't able to create much impact with the ball or bat.

Except for a match-winning bowling spell in the first innings of the third Test, Pandya failed to make any meaningful contributions to the team. Leaving aside his five wickets in the third Test, he took only five wickets in six innings.

Pandya's batting wasn't impressive either as he made just one fifty plus score in 8 innings. A better performance from Pandya could have changed the result of the series.

#2 Ajinkya Rahane

Rahane failed to prolong his good overseas record

Ajinkya Rahane didn't have too many runs behind his back coming into the Test series. He was not in good form and perhaps was fighting for his place in the side. However, a lot was expected from the senior batsman as he has a brilliant record playing in overseas conditions. But unfortunately, things did not go Rahane's way this time around.

Apart from the 81 in the first innings of the third Test and a fighting 51 in the last innings of the fourth Test, Rahane looked flat in the series. His bad form resulted in a vulnerable Indian middle-order which allowed England to dismiss India cheaply. Much more was expected from the Indian vice-captain.

#1 Shikhar Dhawan

Time is running out for Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan's horrific run in overseas Tests continued in the series against England. Being a senior member of the team now, Dhawan was expected to bat responsibly and play some steady innings at the top of the order for team India. The team management was banking on Dhawan's aggressive batting to take the attack to the opposition but unfortunately, that did not happen.

Insteadm Dhawan struggled to find any form and gave away his wickets at crucial junctures of the match. The team management will surely be disappointed with the southpaw's performance. Dhawan's dismal performance might cost him his place in the Test side.