- The ongoing five-match Test series between India and England was touted as one of the marquee contests between the two quality sides. Remember, Team England has reinvented themselves in the last two years courtesy of the Bazball approach adopted by the Test Head Coach Brendon McCullum and Captain Ben Stokes. This all-out attacking approach yielded great results for the English team winning several matches against some of the most fancied teams. Traveling Englishmen defeated the Pakistani team 3-0 in the subcontinent recently further giving a fillip to their approach of taking the fight to the opposition. Team England landed in India with a positive intent to not alter the Bazball approach. Did it yield the desired results?
PC: CNBC
- The first Test in Hyderabad was clinically won by England on the back of attacking batsmanship by the likes of Olli Pope, Jack Crawley, and Ben Duckett. Indian spinners had no clue when the batsmen went hammer and tongs at them by sweeping and reverse-sweeping with authority. The famed Indian spinners were found wanting in not only containing the free flow of runs but also claiming wickets to stop the visitors from running away with the game. What followed subsequently in the next three Tests was not only revealing Team India’s mindset against the unusual assault but also showed a resilient side by raising their games several notches above. A few debutants handsomely contributed to the cause as well
- Opener Yashaswi Jaiswal is turning out to be a huge revelation of sorts by notching up two back-to-back double centuries. He appears to have a sound cricketing brain on his young shoulders showcasing great adaptability in attacking as well as defending as per the situation. No wonder, he is the leading run-scorer in the series as of now. Jasprit Bumrah though rested for the fourth Test in Ranchi, has been in fine form picking up wickets when the team desperately wanted. The spinners led by Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravichandran Ashwin have been fantastic right through. Though Ashwin looked to be struggling with his rhythm, the Ranchi five-fer settled that matter for good. He is after all a big match-winner, you see.
PC: India Today
- The induction of young wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jurel must have settled the debate about the wicketkeeping options for Tests. The youngster displayed his prowess with the bat and kept the wickets tidily too. Another youngster blooded into the team, Sarfraz Khan scored two debut half-centuries displaying no nerves on the big stage. Unfortunately, the middle-order batter Rajat Patidar appears to have wasted his opportunities by failing to score decently so far. He promised a lot but could not deliver. The series win here shows how Team India continues to secure home fort with splendid performances despite missing a big player like Virat Kohli. Many congratulations to Team India for a fabulous series victory!
