India's quest for the Pataudi Trophy begins at Trent Bridge

By deepoz / Roar Rookie

It is never easy to predict the chances of any visiting side against the home team in England; even more so when it is a sub-continent team.

It boils down to how well the visiting batters adept to the movement both in the air and off the wicket, and also, how well the visitors balance their team to meet the requirements of changing conditions.

That is what must be bugging this Indian side at the start of the Pataudi Trophy series, starting today at Trent Bridge.

In Australia, India announced their playing XI on the eve of the first Test; not so here.

India lost 1-4 last time they played England in England, though the contest was far closer than the scoreline would suggest.

India had chances to win at least two Tests and win the series. They lost a few sessions which turned the game.

Or perhaps fair to say that Sam Curran was the difference; a small difference, but a telling one.

Will India be ready this time to stop the flow of the game turning away from them?

The current Indian squad is similar to the one that toured in 2018. The nucleus of Indian batting is still the same.

So, while on one hand they may be looking forward to changing the outcome of the series, there is also a possibility of residual trauma from that result.

Every team, especially one playing at the highest level, is up for the encounter at the start. However, when the game starts going away from them, even the champions struggle. This is when the old wounds can open up with a sense of déjà vu, especially if the majority of the team members are unchanged.

This was the factor that perhaps helped India down under; a sense of nothing to lose after the debacle of 36 all out and the loss of key players.

The newcomers came into the team with vigour and verve rather than the baggage of the defeat, and this was not expected by the Aussies, who were perhaps consumed with their success.

I believe it was that attitude of the bench players, who got a chance of a lifetime to get the India cap, and to show what it meant to them, that changed the complexion of the series.

It was that attitude which helped Indian cricket team to record its finest ever overseas series win in its history.

But in England, the experienced old hands are back. Often, that would be considered a boon.

While I won’t say that it is exactly a bane, it may work against Indian team unless the experienced batters are able to change their plan.

While it is hard to displace experienced batters like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane – and there is no one on the bench who is breaking the door down to get in – the Indian top order has not been exactly firing overseas.

(Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP via Getty Images)

There have been a few good knocks but collectively, the No.3, 4 and 5 of Indian top order have had ordinary outings by their standards.

While these three are champion batters, I am sure this fact would be nagging them. Will they use this as motivation or will they succumb to the pressure? The pressure of having a great opportunity to beat England in England; perhaps the best ever.

Perhaps, that is one thing that Joe Root and his boys would be banking upon to continue their dominance over their rivals at home.

England’s batting looks inexperienced in terms of number of Test matches, but these guys have plenty of experience of playing in their own conditions, which should help.

England will look at their skipper to anchor the innings, as their top three are still settling into their Test careers.

The withdrawal of Ben Stokes couldn’t have come at a worse time for England. His crucial runs down the order and ability to provide wicket-taking spells in the middle of the innings will be sorely missed.

Remember, it was the inability of the Indian team to knock over the lower order that changed the complexion of the series between these two in 2018.

India has already got an advantage here; to some extent similar to what they had against Aussies in 2017-18 down under without Steve Smith and David Warner. How well India can utilise this gain will be the key.

So, on paper, with Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer unavailable, India is looking stronger. Much the same as when India visited New Zealand in 2020.

The only difference here is that due to the series lasting five Tests, India will have ample opportunity to come back if they do not start well.

However, they are beginning their campaign at the ground where they won the only Test match in the 2018 series.

So, that should be psychological boon to the team. However, they have a problem of balance. The main point being: do they go with four seamers and one spinner, or three seamers and two spinners?

The conundrum for them is that both their bowling all-rounders are spinners. Also, the fact that both are extremely good and in-form players, which makes it hard to drop one of them for the fourth seamer.

In 2018, when India won at Trent Bridge, it was Hardik Pandya who got a five-for in the first innings and Jasprit Bumrah got a five-for in the second.

Hardik Pandya (Photo by Philip Brown/Getty Images)

The pitch and conditions point to the presence of seamers being more beneficial. However, that leaves the Indian lower order very vulnerable, which could be crucial in the final analysis.

It was evident even in the single Test India has played on this tour so far (the WTC final against New Zealand) that their batters didn’t put enough runs on the board for their bowlers to win.

Also, they have a question mark over the stability of the opening pair. With Shubman Gill’s withdrawal, the opening pair is likely to be unsettled.

Add to that another important fact: Rohit Sharma will open the batting in red-ball cricket for the first time in England. That is never easy.

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While Rohit has plenty of experience opening the batting in white-ball cricket, he will face the most destructive red-ball bowling pair under these conditions. That represents maximum degree of difficulty.

Rohit, as one of the experienced players, like his colleagues down the order, will need to use this as motivation.

The crucial question India would be pondering on the eve of the Test match is: do they shore up their batting by having both spinning all-rounders play or strengthen their swing bowling?

India tried the first strategy in the WTC final against New Zealand and their batting still failed.

Will they change their plans because of that? I don’t think so. I believe the reason Indian batting failed was that they did not prepare well for this crucial Test match.

To play a Test match without playing a first class game in England is like shooting yourself in the foot.

Since then, even though Indian batters have had only a single first class game, they had lot more time to adjust to English conditions. That will make them comfortable about their batting coming good on the day.

Considering that the series is starting towards the latter part of the summer, there is always a possibility for spinners to play a role, at least in the third and fourth innings.

Considering that, I doubt Indian team management will drop Ravichandran Ashwin for a swing bowler like Shardul Thakur.

Ravindra Jadeja is slightly ahead of Ash in the slot of the all-rounder, so it looks like India will stay with the same combination they had for the WTC final.

The only possible question is about inclusion of the pace bowler Mohammad Siraj. He may be getting impatient sitting on the bench, chafing at the bit.

After leading the bowling unit brilliantly in the last Test at the Gabba, he played two more Test matches in India. I thought he was more impressive than Ishant Sharma, even on less responsive wickets.

He could be that attitude factor that Indian bowling unit will need if they go with three seamers. Ishant had an injury during the WTC finals but has pulled up well. However, it would be the correct time to give the youngster a chance.

My XI for the first Test
Rohit Sharma
KL Rahul
Cheteshwar Pujara
Virat Kohli (c)
Ajinkya Rahane
Rishabh Pant
Ravindra Jadeja
Ravichandran Ashwin
Jasprit Bumrah
Mohammad Shami
Mohammad Siraj

India has a great chance to win the Pataudi Trophy 3-1.

The Crowd Says:

AUTHOR

2021-08-06T06:17:12+00:00

deepoz

Roar Rookie


That's why he is The Don!! :laughing:

2021-08-06T02:57:49+00:00

La grandeur d'Athéna

Roar Rookie


If he can utilize his full potential then that really will be something. But i am not convinced with him. He performed badly against England here. Even English battters now are struggling in swinging condition. Hopefully he will get better with time.

2021-08-06T02:11:30+00:00

Paul

Roar Guru


I'm guessing Stokes will return for the Ashes but as you say, there has to be serious question marks about whether he can get through a full Ashes. If he's out and anything happens to the captain, England are R**ted!!

2021-08-06T02:09:09+00:00

Paul

Roar Guru


"Anyone who goes to England for the first time struggles" Bradman didn't :laughing:

AUTHOR

2021-08-06T01:47:42+00:00

deepoz

Roar Rookie


Anyone who goes to England for the first time struggles. I remember Sunny Gavaskar's first overseas series in England, after his scintillating debut in West Indies and he struggled to adjust to the conditions. Agree that Australian wickets are easier to adept than England or NZ. I reckon Gill has sufficient talent to get over the swing challenge; to learn to play late and under your eyes rather than in front and on the rise. He has compact defense which should be a help.

2021-08-06T01:27:14+00:00

La grandeur d'Athéna

Roar Rookie


Shubman is injured and was ruled out of entire series. To be honest he was going to be exposed badly in those English conditions like Shaw was. Australia in general have the best batting friendly conditions among all overseas countries. I believe he needs more time to solidify his spot. He was very shaky against England here.

AUTHOR

2021-08-06T01:26:58+00:00

deepoz

Roar Rookie


Very unfortunate. Agree, badmanners. Though, one thing that can still keep England in the game is Indian batter's inability to adept and stop Anderson from taking wickets! After last night's spell from Anderson, I hope for the sake of Indian team, it does not open up the old wounds!!

AUTHOR

2021-08-06T01:21:04+00:00

deepoz

Roar Rookie


Anth, yes, unfortunately, Gill has sustained a shin stress fracture. out for 2 months at least. I see him at the top of order for very long time for India and KL Rahul to take #3 soon. Much as I love Pujara's temperament, he is coming close to his use by date..

2021-08-05T23:22:39+00:00

badmanners

Roar Rookie


Also got announced yesterday that Jofra is out of the Ashes, must be a question mark over Stokes if he can't see a way through a home series, I can't see a way for England to challenge us without those two.

2021-08-05T10:41:25+00:00

Anth

Roar Rookie


Forgive my ignorance, but is young Gill injured. Also why the reticence to play Siraj. I loved both these blokes when they toured Australia last year. I know Gill has yet to crack a ton, but when he does they will be frequent and big. Siraj had a heap of mongrel in him which impressed me no end.

2021-08-05T07:14:38+00:00

Paul

Roar Guru


just up the road, Your Holiness

2021-08-05T03:51:08+00:00

Pope Paul VII

Roar Rookie


Is Trentbridge near Trent Bridge?

2021-08-05T02:59:02+00:00

Paul

Roar Guru


Agreed. What happened to him was wring IMO, but that's an issue for another day. Hope he gets a chance with a newish ball. This surface looks like it should suit him.

2021-08-05T02:57:30+00:00

Paul

Roar Guru


fair enough

2021-08-05T02:12:57+00:00

Micko

Roar Rookie


Great to see Ollie Robinson is back! :happy:

AUTHOR

2021-08-05T01:11:56+00:00

deepoz

Roar Rookie


Paul, he batted at 6; didn't open.

2021-08-05T00:52:39+00:00

JGK

Roar Guru


Geez India bowled well yesterday. If Bumrah were English he's have 250 Test wickets by now.

2021-08-05T00:40:35+00:00

La grandeur d'Athéna

Roar Rookie


Leaving out Ash is bold. But so far good from our bowlers. It is time for our batters to stand up. Rohit is living dangerously. England is missing out Jofra Archer, Ben stokes, Chris Woakes. If we do not win the series, then there will be question mark over what we did in Australia. A lead of two hundred runs will put pressure on England batting.

2021-08-04T23:45:58+00:00

Paul

Roar Guru


Sure has. There's some highlights on the CA website (link below). Some pretty ordinary England batting outside Root and some good Indian bowling. https://www.cricket.com.au/news/match-report/england-collapse-india-day-one-first-test-trent-bridge-bumrah-shami-root-highlights/2021-08-05

2021-08-04T23:19:46+00:00

Micko

Roar Rookie


What, it started already?! :shocked:

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