ENG vs IND: Time To Ring Changes To Avoid Series Defeat
Limited ability, coupled with consistent errors in team selection, culminated in an anticipated humiliation for India at the epicentre of cricket in Englands biggest county, Yorkshire, where the visto
The win helped the hosts level the five-Test series 1-1, after the first match ended in a draw. To exclude Ravichandran Ashwin, India's premier spin bowler, from the side for three consecutive Tests, even after he looked threatening on a unhelpful, made-for-pacers pitch in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against New Zealand at Southampton in June, has been senseless.
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It was understandable that Shardul Thakur was rested because of an injury in the second Test at Lord's that India won. He ought to have been recalled for the just-concluded third encounter, since he is the only natural swing bowler in the Indian squad. And movement in the air, more often than not, plays a critical part in English conditions.
Ishant Sharma, who took Thakur's place, is normally not fit enough beyond a couple of Tests these days. In this series, he didn't even survive that long. He lumbered up stiffly to be an easy picking for the English batsmen.
Rishabh Pant's batting in the past four Tests has appeared to indicate that he's not interested when the going is tough, such as having to tackle a Duke ball with a pronounced seam in English conditions.
He has easy money in the IPL to fall back on. So, the attitude seems to be, 'it doesn't matter if he fails for country'! The return of Ashwin is necessary. To stubbornly ignore this reality will only perpetuate peril for India.
