Virender Sehwag’s return to fitness could not come at a better time for India, who expect their talismanic opener to join up with the tour on Tuesday. Sehwag has not played since the IPL after undergoing surgery on his right shoulder in May. He will have only a two-day warm-up match against Northamptonshire, which starts on Friday, as preparation for the third Test at Edgbaston.

However, given the state of his side’s performances, he will play against England next week even if he bags a pair at Wantage Road. With Gautam Gambhir expected to be fit after missing the second Test with a bruised elbow, India’s batting will have a stronger look at Edgbaston with their established opening partnership reformed and Rahul Dravid back in his normal position at three.

Zaheer Khan bowled in the indoor school at Trent Bridge and the break between Tests could not have arrived at a better time for a bruised and battered India squad. M S Dhoni, their captain, admitted on Monday that his team lacked cutting edge and an inability to wrestle back the momentum once England had fought their way out of a sticky situation in the first innings.