India faces a monumental challenge after their surprise defeat in the first Test against England. For the first time since 2011, they played a home Test without Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja.
Holes At Indian Batting Order – Ind vs Eng
Gill’s Poor Patch
Despite being backed for the No.3 spot, Gill has underperformed and scored below 35 in his last eleven innings. Former India captain and coach Anil Kumble questioned the team management regarding Gill and said that “he has been given the extra cushion perhaps even a Cheteshwar Pujara didn’t get.
Shreyas Iyer – Long-Term or Short-Term
Shreyas Iyer, is the other backdrop on Indian batting. Spin-hitting is his strength and yet when it mattered most, on that last day in Hyderabad he gift-wrapped his wicket to the inconsistent Jack Leach.
Indian batters struggled to counter England’s spin attack, failing to adapt and take risks, allowing spinners to settle and create wicket-taking opportunities.
Also, another curse for India is that Jadeja & Rahul were ruled out of the Vizag Test due to injuries which even keep India down.
Bazball Approach Provided Another Win For England – Ind vs Eng
Ollie Pope’s swashbuckling century and Tom Hartley’s 7-for helped England pull off an incredible comeback win. Almost every Indian batsman perished while trying to score a boundary and the hosts still managed to take a lead of 190. Even after losing openers early, England’s fearless batting, exemplified by Pope’s fighting innings, denied India a seemingly assured victory. Once again, England/Bazball didn’t give up. Ollie Pope, England’s vice-captain, swept and reverse-swept to unsettle the Indian spinners. He was dropped twice after getting to his hundred and he made the Indians pay. He had his share of luck but England’s No. 3 batted bravely throughout his innings.
Substitutes Chance – Bench Strength
Patidar, Sarfaraz, Saurabh Kumar and Washington Sundar added to the Indian squad for the 2nd test for the replacement for injured players have all shown what they’re capable of. They just have to do it again with more on the line than they’re perhaps used to. India is going with their bench strength and we should wait for a few days to know how India will approach England’s Bazball.
PC: Cricbuzz
