(Poornama Edirisooriya writes)
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| Bazball vs Indian spinners, the battle on the way |
Since Brendon McCulum took over England's test team coaching role, English red ball team remodelized the test cricket. So far they had a fruitful Bazball era. Even at the start of the Bazball era, many had their doubts on English approach in spinning conditions, to be precise rank turners. Now, the time has come. All the doubts are to be answered, England vs India 5-match test series starts tomorrow.
As always in Indian soil, England's main challenge is India's spinners, Ravi Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. India may play all these three spinners in their playing xi and it will be great battle if England batters continue their approach.
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| India's spin trio |
Leading upto the series, two notable as well as crucial omissions happened for both the teams. Firstly, English star batter Harry Brook opted out due to personal reasons. He was one of the main contributor towards the success of Bazball and one of the key reasons of England drawing the last Ashes. Like Brook, India's prime batter Virat Kohli has requested not to consider him for the first two tests due to personal reasons. Absence of these two is going to affect both the teams heavily.
Teams
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| Joe Root will be the key |
England young spinner, Shoaib Bashir will miss the first test since his visa was not granted on time. England has named their xi for the first test including three spinners, challenging India with their own medicine. Joe Root, their best batter against spin will hold key for English batting lineup.Mark Wood will be their sole fast bowler in their playing xi. England's best wicket-keeper Ben Foakes is back as designated wicket-keeper.
England xi:
Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes(c), Ben Foakes (wk), Rehan Ahmed, Jack Leach, Tom Hartley, Mark Wood
Since Virat Kohli's absence, KL Rahul will play as a batter at middle order resolving their wicket keeper discussions. India is set to play without either of Virat, Rahane and Pujara for the first time since 2011. They will likely to play 6-5 combination including two seamers.
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| India is without Virat, Rahane and Pujara for the first time since 2011 |
India likely xi:
Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, KS Bharat(wk), Axar Patel, Ravi Ashwin, Jusprit Bumrah, Mohomadd Siraj
Toss will be one key factor as always. There will be no hesitations, the captain who wins the toss will bat first. We are into a long, but fascinating series. The much-awaited red ball series is few hours away.
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