Fresh from their historic triumph in Australia, a confident Indian team is all set to lock horns against a rejuvenated English side, which is coming to this country on the back of their 2-0 series whitewash in Sri Lanka. With the first of the four-Test series is staring from Friday (February 5) in Chennai under closed door environment, international cricket is coming back to the COVID-hit India after a gap of almost 11 months.
In contemporary cricket, taking on India in red-ball cricket on Indian soil is arguably considered as a the most toughest assignment for any Test team. Virat Kohli’s boys are almost invincible at home. In fact, their last series defeat in India was way back in 2012, against England and they last lost a Test on home soil was way back in 2017, against Australia on a dust bowl at Pune.
Hence, for England to create any sort of mark in this series and upset India’s plan to play the World Test Championship final against New Zealand in June, we have to witness an eyebrow raising performance from them, much like what India did in Australia. However, the DNA of this particular English side is a bit different than their predecessors. Rejecting their age-old templet of playing Test cricket, these boys prefer to play fire with fire, even on alien conditions.
In the batting line-up, there are quite a few stroke players who are renowned for their counter-attacking game and like to score runs at fair pace, which is essential, especially when you are playing in the sub-continent. Perhaps that is the reason why this England side has a very good record on spin-friendly pitches. However, while playing against India, taking 20 wickets in the game will be the most challenging task for this team.
Team news
England
Zak Crawley’s wrist injury and the unavailability of Jonny Bairstow in Chennai will force the team management to push someone like Daniel Lawrence at No. 3, whereas Ollie Pope, who is a late addition to the squad can be accommodated at No.6. Meanwhile, after missing the Sri Lanka tour, Ben Stokes has now joined the squad and will add some vital balance in the line-up. Also, having sat out of both Tests against Sri Lanka due to a COVID infection, a fit-again Moeen Ali is likely to take Dom Bess’s spot in the XI.
Probable XI:
Rory Burns, Dom Sibley, Daniel Lawrence, Joe Root (C), Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler (WK), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad
India
Skipper Virat Kohli and Ishant Sharma will be an welcome addition in squad following the tour of Australia. A typical Chepauk surface may tempt India to play and play three spinners along with Jasprit Bumrah and Ishant. There are high probabilities of Kuldeep Yadav, who played his last Test way back in 2029 in Sydney, getting a game. He will accompany Ashwin and one of Washington Sundar and the uncapped Axar Patel in the spin-department. Sundar impressed at the Gabba, but Sri Lankan left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya’s recent success against England may push the team management to play Axar.
Meanwhile, a fit-again Hardik Panday, is unlikley to make it to the XI. Also, following the Gabba heroic, Rishabh Pant is likely to topple Wriddhiman Saha in the race for the wicketkeeper’s slot.
Probable XI:
Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (C), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (WK), Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah
Match starts: 9.30 AM IST
Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai