The tour of India was touted to be England’s biggest challenge since the start of Ben Stokes-Brendon McCullum partnership. However, the tourists defied the predictions to stun India in the first Test played in Hyderabad and take a surprise 1-0 lead in the five-match series, the latest shimmering victory since they subscribed to the philosophy which is now popularly known as the ‘Bazball’.
Sticking to their aggressive brand of cricket, England did push India, a team near invincible when playing at home, on the backfoot. However, it appears that normal services have been restored with India now storming to a 2-1 lead with two matches remaining.
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In Vizag, England fought but India were better but in Rajkot, the story was quite different. A typical Indian performance and a typical result: the hosts winning by a significant margin.
England crumbled against Indian attack in chase of 557 to be bowled out for 122 inside four days of the third Test.
Interestingly, India have bossed over England despite missing a few of their first-choice stars including Virat Kohli, Mohammed Shami (both out for entire series), KL Rahul (played in the first Test). Additionally, they were also without Ravichandran Ashwin for nearly two days as the star offspinner left the third Test midway due to a family emergency.
Legendary captain Sourav Ganguly thinks that England’s approach to Test cricket under current captain Stokes is ‘good’ but it will be surprising if India end up losing the series.
“Bazball is good, but it’s difficult for England to be successful in Indian conditions. I will be surprised if India lose the series,” Ganguly was quoted as saying by the mid-day.
“Please remember that India are playing without Virat, KL. It’s a young team with many new faces, and yet, England are struggling,” he added.
The young Yashasvi Jaiswal has been in red-hot form having scored over 500 runs so far in the series including two double-centuries. Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja have scored centuries while Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja have taken a five-wicket haul each so far.
The fourth Test of the series will be played in Ranchi from February 23.
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