Here is a player who is not just out of form fighting for a place in the side, but has shown a very lackadaisical attitude even on the field. He is now no different form Saurav when he was dropped- poor batting record, very bad fielding too. It is difficult to wish that making him the captain will make him more responsible.
Anyway, I would suggest hat he may be dropped down the order to number 4. Uthappa and Dhoni should open and Sehwag should come number 4. Kaif would have been an ideal number 3 but not at his current form. Irfan can come at 3 and Yuvi, raina at 4 and 5, and venu at 6. Venu can also bowl legbreaks if required for variety in spin. VRV Singh may b givenm a chance instead of Agarkar.
Should Sehwag fail in the next two matches, he should be asked to go back to Ranji and get back after proving himself. Why should he and Gambhir be given different treatment!
Yes, this is the time to experiment with new talents. However, care should be taken to not to field too weak a team and invite defeat.
Mohammed Kaif I thought needs a break. He is just not able to adjust to England bowling. His fielding too has lost its bite nowadays.
Fielding is really a bother for Indian team, though i has one four matches in a row. Fielders make sleep walk towards the ball unlike Australia/S.A. whose players virtually pounce on the ball by diving an extra one or two yards.
