- Cricket connoisseurs, experts, crazy fans, and even those having cultivated a passing interest would have noticed how Team England has completely revolutionized the way Test matches are played in the last couple of years. This has happened ever since New Zealander Baz McCullum took over as the Head Coach when things were headed south for the English team. Die-hard cricket fans know that it’s an oft-repeated statement that attack is the best form of defence in this particular sport’s parlance. England, under Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes, has redefined the way Test cricket is played around the world. The results are astonishing, what with Englishmen simply bamboozling the opposition ranks with their attacking play.
PC: BBC
- However, a few setbacks when the situation demanded precaution helped the English team temper their extremely aggressive approach of late. This was visible in the first Test of the ongoing five-match series at Leeds when the home team comfortably overhauled the stiff 371 runs to win the match by five wickets in the fourth innings against India, who had showcased a remarkable fight back for four days. Come to think of it, Indian batters did a commendable job in scoring five centuries across the two innings. But still ended up on the losing side speaks volumes about the way Team England clinically dismantled the visitors’ attempt at upsetting the opposition. What should Team India do to ensure the home team doesn’t steamroll in the remaining matches?
PC: Cricket Addictor
- To begin with, it is no rocket science in reiterating yet again that bowlers win the matches. And to win a Test match, 20 opposition wickets must be scalped. Does Team India have bowlers, except the exceptionally penetrative pacer Jasprit Bumrah, to put the opposition team under pressure by taking wickets? Unfortunately, the young and inexperienced bowlers other than Bumrah appear to be still a work in progress. Mind you, Bumrah is expected to play in three Tests alone to ensure his dodgy back doesn’t give up any time soon. The other experienced bowler in the side, Mohammad Siraj, has not pulled his weight to shoulder the bowling attack. Hence, he doesn’t inspire much confidence either. English conditions are known to assist seamers. We know that.
PC: Times of India
- Team India has always been known for possessing world-class spinners who could mesmerize the opposition ranks with their guile and artistry. Ravindra Jadeja is a proven match-winner, but when the conditions are helpful, they aid his trade generously. He was of little help in the Leeds Test and could bag a lone wicket in the entire match. Team India has a vastly improved wrist spinner, Kuldeep Yadav, who could be effective on any wicket. Questions may arise as to why two spinners are used in pacer-friendly conditions when a fourth seamer would be appropriate. Team India should field the best eleven in every Test, and if it takes two spinners to tame the marauding Englishmen, so be it. Otherwise, Team India’s chances of putting up a fight will remain a distant dream.
![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://kanigas.com/team-india-must-step-up-to-stop-england-from-steamrolling/&media=https://kanigas.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-06-20T110307Z_297414653_UP1EL6K0UP4TI_RTRMADP_3_CRICKET-TEST-ENG-IND.jpeg&description=England has completely transformed Test cricket under coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes with their aggressive "Bazball" approach, recently defeating India by 5 wickets at Leeds despite India scoring five centuries across both innings. The analysis suggests India needs to strengthen their bowling attack beyond star pacer Jasprit Bumrah and consider deploying two spinners to counter England's dominant batting strategy in the remaining matches of the five-Test series.){kind=link}