India skipper Virat Kohli has warned his team will play with nothing to lose as they try to stay in the Specsavers Test series against England at Trent Bridge.

Kohli is fit to lead the tourists this weekend after recovering from the back strain which kept him off the field towards the end of their crushing defeat at Lord’s.

India are expected to make two changes to the team which lost by an innings and 159 runs there, with uncapped wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant replacing the out-of-form Dinesh Karthik and key seamer Jasprit Bumrah back from his broken thumb in place of spinner Kuldeep Yadav.

India’s batsmen have so far failed to tame English seam-and-swing conditions this summer.

Great day at training today. Looking forward to the next game. ✌️

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But Kohli said: “When your back is against the wall it’s actually a good situation to be in. You literally have no room for thinking about anything else apart from what the team requires.

“The only conversation we’ve had is that the only option is to win this game, and nothing else. You need to show that in your body language, in your intent and the way you prepare for the game.

“It’s up to the individuals to stand up and say ‘I’m going to go out there and make a difference’.”

The world’s number one team has fallen below the expectations of many at the start of a series they trail 2-0 with three to play.

But Kohli took issue with a suggestion, at his pre-match press conference, that any of the line-up may begin to wonder if their Test careers are on the line.

“I don’t think anyone is thinking like that,” he said. “These are just things that are created on the outside – people like to make a lot of nothing.

“No one can play forever, but that day is not today. We need to focus on this Test match, and not think about whether someone’s career is on the line. It’s quite a bizarre thought to have.”

The return of Bumrah, who has taken 14 wickets in his three Tests to date, is a source of optimism for Kohli.

He said: “We are very excited he’s coming back. He’s obviously a quality bowler, and it’s great to have someone like that on the park. He’s an attacking bowler, a guy who’s really aggressive in mind.

“He wants to take the situation front on, and basically make the batsmen feel uncomfortable. He relishes the challenge whenever given an opportunity.”

As for his own well-being, Kohli added: “I’m feeling absolutely fine. I’ve had [back trouble] a couple of times before, so it’s not a new development. I know how to handle it.”