Team India’s surprise when England turned the tables and won the first match of the five-game Test series. This unexpected event took place at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.
Day one saw India leading the way, boasting a hefty 190-runs lead in the first innings. We anticipated another downfall of the visitors on the Indian conditions. However, England astonished everyone with their revitalized cricket style, regaining their footing in the game.
Ollie Pope, who appeared out of sorts in his first innings, responded with one of the finest efforts by a visitor hitter in India, hammering 196 runs in 278 balls in the second innings.
As India was set a goal of 231 runs, they got their own back as England bowlers caused havoc before bundling out the hosts for 202 runs and winning the Test by 28 runs.
As both teams prepare for the second Test in Vishakapatnam, we look at the three things England must do correctly if they want to improve their lead in the crucial series.
1. England’s aggressive batting strategy against India’s spinners
English hitters have struck at a rate of 70.27, which is much higher than any other team in Test cricket during the previous two years. In the bulk of the Tests played under Ben Stokes, they have consistently batted out their opponents.
Visitors should not look any other way during the forthcoming Test. They should target a quality Indian bowling attack that will be missing Ravindra Jadeja.
When Vishakhapatnam last welcomed a Test match, a whopping 1,447 runs were scored. The condition was pretty good for batting during the first innings. England has an opportunity here. Getting a big first innings score should be their focus.
This strategy could give them an early lead and might stress the home team. Critics have noted that the host team can sometimes seem unsure when facing pressure.
2. James Anderson’s masterclass against India’s inexperienced batting order
England made a major discovery on Thursday when they named their starting XI for the second Test. They made two changes, with Jack Leach being replaced by Shoaib Bashir.
England has also ensured that James Anderson returns, with the experienced bowler replacing Mark Wood. Wood bowled several really rapid deliveries in Hyderabad, but he remained mainly ineffectual.
Anderson, in the meantime, uses his huge experience. The 41-year-old bowler, preparing for his sixth tour in India, is surely going to challenge the Indian hitters.
Aside from his ability to move the new ball early on, Anderson is one of the finest at reversing the ball in later overs. With over 700 Test wickets under his belt, England could exploit Anderson’s vast expertise to weaken India’s batting assault, which appears poor on paper.
The whole Indian team for the Test two shares a sum of 10,703 runs. That’s 744 less than Joe Root’s career runs of 11,447.
Without Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Ravindra Jadeja, India’s batting seems weak. It hasn’t been like this for some time. Though they have skill, England has a great chance too. They can push and build lots of pressure.
3. England’s spinners must change their lines to suit the Vizag surface
The English spinners bowled too many loose deliveries and were unable to get any assistance from the Hyderabad surface in the first Test. However, in the second essay, they performed admirably, changing their lines and lengths to great effect.
Their shift in bowling strategy was evident as England quickly made life difficult for the Indian hitters, finishing their innings in less than 70 overs.
England should not wait for the first innings to conclude before deciding which lines to bowl. Instead, they should think quickly and get into the zone as soon as feasible.
While the English spinners have little experience, it is fair to assume that to succeed on Indian surfaces, a spinner just needs to bowl in the right spots on a continuous basis.
More crucially, left-arm spinner Tom Hartley would be full of confidence following his spectacular seven-wicket haul in the last Test and would be ready to spin his web once more.
