England's Collapse in India: An Analytical Reflection

 The Test series between India and England began with a glimmer of hope for the visitors. Their victory in the first Test in Chennai by a commanding 227 runs rekindled memories of the winter of 2012 when England achieved a rare and historic triumph on Indian soil. However, as the series progressed, the dream of a repeat performance quickly unravelled, exposing the chinks in England's armour.

India, undeterred by the initial setback, raised their game to emphatic levels, clinching the remaining three Tests ruthlessly—by 317 runs, 10 wickets, and an innings and 25 runs, respectively. The final two matches, held in Ahmedabad, proved particularly dismal for England. In less than five days, the visitors managed fewer runs across four innings (533) than they had in their first outing at Chepauk (578). This dramatic decline was both embarrassing and unexpected.

The Anatomy of England's Downfall

England's capitulation can be attributed to a glaring lack of resolve among their batters. Much of the post-series debate centred on the nature of the pitches, especially the third Test’s rank-turner. Yet, the narrative surrounding the conditions masked a more pressing issue: the inability of England’s batters to adapt to the challenges posed by Indian spinners.

While there is a long-standing perception that English batsmen struggle against quality spin bowling, this series laid bare their lack of patience and technical inadequacies. Test cricket, particularly in subcontinental conditions, demands batsmen to occupy the crease and learn the nuances of the pitch and opposition bowling. Historically, English players have displayed an ability to overcome technical shortcomings through sheer determination. However, in this series, that resolve was conspicuously absent.

Joe Root’s stellar double century in the first Test at Chennai was a masterclass in adapting to challenging conditions. Unfortunately, his subsequent innings did not reflect the same temperament or technique. Root still emerged as England's leading run-scorer with 368 runs at an average of 46, but his lone brilliance could not paper over the cracks in England’s batting lineup. Ben Stokes, with 203 runs at 25.37, failed to deliver the impactful performances his team desperately needed.

The rest of the batting order fared even worse. Jonny Bairstow’s series was nothing short of a nightmare. In nine Test innings against India, he registered six ducks, with a highest score of 28 and an average of 5.77. Such abysmal form stands in stark contrast to his first-class average of 50.74 for Yorkshire. For Bairstow to reclaim his place in the Test side, a significant turnaround is imperative.

Lessons from the Indian Blueprint

India’s approach throughout the series is a case study in resilience and adaptation. Their batsmen showcased the importance of occupying the crease and building partnerships on testing surfaces. Meanwhile, their bowlers exploited the conditions expertly, outclassing their English counterparts.

Root himself acknowledged this disparity, stating, “Credit does have to go to India. They've generally out-skilled us. They showed us how to bat on that wicket, and similarly today with the ball they were excellent.”

This admission underscores a fundamental truth: England possesses the talent to succeed in challenging conditions, but success will remain elusive unless they master the basics of Test cricket. Building technique, fostering patience, and developing a mental framework to endure tough spells will be essential for future campaigns.

Looking Ahead: A Call for Introspection

England's defeat in India is a stark reminder of the unforgiving nature of Test cricket. It demands skill, temperament, and the ability to adapt. The team must confront its shortcomings head-on and seek improvement in subcontinental conditions. The talent is there, but realizing their potential requires belief, preparation, and a commitment to learning from setbacks.

This series should not be seen as a failure but as a wake-up call for England—a chance to regroup, rebuild, and return stronger.

 Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

The Ahmedabad Test: A Trial of Technique, Temperament, and Turf

 

The third Test between India and England at the world’s largest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad etched its name into history for all the wrong reasons. Lasting less than two days, it became the seventh shortest completed Test match ever and the first since 1935 to conclude so swiftly. With 30 wickets tumbling for just 287 runs across 140 overs, it was a spectacle that left purists questioning the state of the game. 

Yet, while the pitch—a veritable Bunsen burner—has been crucified in the aftermath, a deeper narrative emerges. The Ahmedabad Test was not just about the surface; it was a sobering indictment of the technical deficiencies and mental frailties of modern batsmanship. 

The Numbers Tell a Tale of Collapse

The match aggregate of 387 runs is the lowest in a completed Test match in Asia, breaking the previous record of 422 runs in the 2002 Sharjah Test between Pakistan and Australia. It is also the lowest in the last 74 years of Test cricket. England’s aggregate of 193 runs across both innings marked the first time a team had been bowled out twice in a Test in India for fewer than 200 runs. 

But while the numbers paint a grim picture, the dismissals reveal a deeper malaise. A lack of application, poor shot selection, and fundamental technical flaws turned the Ahmedabad pitch into a graveyard for batsmen. 

England’s First Innings: A Catalogue of Errors

Dom Sibley’s dismissal set the tone. Caught on the crease, he poked unnecessarily at an Ishant Sharma delivery that demanded restraint. Jonny Bairstow, returning to the side, was undone not by the turn but by Axar Patel’s straighter delivery—his defence and footwork were found wanting. 

Joe Root and Zak Crawley, England’s most accomplished batsmen in the innings, grafted briefly before succumbing to fuller deliveries from Ashwin and Patel. Both dismissals stemmed from poor judgment rather than devilish spin. Root, in particular, played back when the situation demanded a forward stride, a misstep uncharacteristic of his class. 

Crawley, who had looked assured, inexplicably played for turn against a straighter delivery, replicating Bairstow’s mistake. Ollie Pope’s dismissal, bowled playing down the wrong line, and Ben Stokes’ failure to move his feet against Patel, further exemplified the technical shortcomings. 

These were not dismissals born of unplayable deliveries or vicious spin. They were the product of lapses in focus, poor judgment, and an unwillingness to adapt. 

India’s Response: A Mirror of Mediocrity

When India came out to bat, their approach mirrored England’s lack of application. Jack Leach and Joe Root exploited the conditions, but it was India’s poor shot selection that compounded their woes. 

Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane, masters against spin, inexplicably opted for horizontal bat shots against deliveries that demanded a straight bat. Rohit Sharma, India’s most assured batsman in the series, threw away his wicket with an ill-advised slog sweep. Panic set in as the lower-middle order capitulated to Root’s canny off-spin, which yielded him a career-best 5 for 8. 

Again, the pitch was not the villain. The Indian innings was undone by a combination of poor decision-making and unnecessary aggression. 

England’s Second Innings: Lessons Unlearned

If England’s first innings was a study in poor technique, their second innings was a masterclass in self-destruction. Zak Crawley, facing the first ball, inexplicably played back to a delivery from Patel that demanded a forward press. Jonny Bairstow, already on a pair, attempted a sweep off his first ball—a reckless choice that nearly cost him his wicket. Given a reprieve by DRS, he squandered it moments later, leaving a gaping hole between bat and pad against another straighter one. 

Dom Sibley’s attempt at a wild swipe across the line against Ashwin epitomized England’s lack of composure. Ben Stokes, seemingly settled, misread a skidding delivery from Ashwin, falling for the 11th time to the off-spinner. Even Root, England’s best batsman, played for turn against deliveries that went straight, a cardinal sin on such a surface. 

England were skittled for 81—their second-lowest Test total against India. 

The Verdict: Technique Over Turf

The Ahmedabad pitch has faced its share of criticism, but it cannot shoulder the entire blame. The dismissals, particularly those of England’s top order, reveal a lack of basic batting fundamentals. CricViz noted that 35% of boundaries against spin in this Test were scored in the "V," highlighting the rewards of straight-bat play and decisive footwork. 

Rohit Sharma demonstrated this in the second Test, but neither side adhered to these principles in Ahmedabad. England’s batsmen played with angled bats and tentative footwork, while India’s batsmen succumbed to panic and poor shot selection. 

This Test was a reminder that, while conditions may vary, the fundamentals of Test batting remain unchanged. Appropriate use of the feet, trusting the defence, and occupying the crease are non-negotiable on challenging surfaces. 

In the end, the Ahmedabad Test was not just a trial of technique and temperament but a reflection of the erosion of classical batting skills in the modern game. It was a sobering reminder that Test cricket, for all its evolution, still demands the basics. Those who master them thrive, while those who neglect them perish. 

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

The Chennai Conundrum: A Tale of Skill, Application, and Misjudgment

 

The second Test in Chennai was destined to be a talking point long before a ball was bowled. After India’s heavy defeat in the first Test, the stage was set for a rank turner—a surface designed to test skill, patience, and adaptability. The whispers began early, with former cricketers and pundits predicting a three-and-a-half to four-day affair. Aakash Chopra, in his analysis, suggested that while the toss would matter, the pitch’s nature would neutralize its impact. 

He was right in many ways. The pitch offered spin from the outset, with puffs of dust rising and balls keeping low—a spinner’s paradise but also a stern examination of batting technique. The debate about the pitch, however, reached a crescendo when Michael Vaughan, the former England captain, labeled it a "poor Test match pitch." 

Yet, this critique rings hollow when viewed in the context of the match itself. On this very surface, two Indian batsmen scored centuries, and Virat Kohli delivered a masterclass in application and technique. The narrative, then, isn’t about the pitch but about how players adapted—or failed to adapt—to its challenges. 

The Art of Adaptation 

Rohit Sharma set the tone with a counterattacking knock on Day 1, defying the conditions with audacious stroke play. His innings underscored an essential truth: on turning tracks, rhythm is key. When a batsman finds it, the bowlers must respond with discipline—a trait England’s spinners lacked. Moeen Ali and Jack Leach, despite moments of brilliance, bowled 14 full tosses in the first innings. Against a side like India, such lapses are costly. 

In stark contrast, Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel epitomized discipline. They bowled with precision, allowing the pitch to work its magic. Neither offered freebies, forcing England’s batsmen to earn every run. The difference was stark: where England’s spinners faltered, India’s thrived. 

Kohli’s Masterclass: A Study in Resilience 

Virat Kohli’s second-innings performance was a lesson in adaptability. Having fallen in the first innings to a sharp-turning delivery from Moeen Ali, Kohli adjusted his technique. He opened his stance, trusted his defense, and played late. Patience became his mantra, as he scored just eight runs off his first 37 balls. 

Kohli’s false shot percentage, a mere 11%, was well below the match average of 21%. CricViz noted that he attacked only 14% of deliveries—a testament to his restraint. His approach evoked memories of Sunil Gavaskar’s textbook batting, emphasizing occupation of the crease and the value of playing straight. 

Sunil Gavaskar himself observed, “Look at his intent. He’s either going right forward or right back. When he comes forward, he smothers the ball; when he goes back, he gives himself time. This is classy batting.” 

Ashwin’s Dual Brilliance 

If Kohli’s innings was a masterclass in patience, Ashwin’s performance was a showcase of all-round brilliance. With the ball, he dismantled England’s batting lineup, exploiting the conditions with surgical precision. With the bat, he delivered a sparkling century—a knock that combined aggression with skill. 

CricViz highlighted the intent in Ashwin’s batting: he attacked 45% of deliveries, a rarity in Indian conditions. Despite a false shot percentage of 22%, his innings stood out for its audacity and effectiveness. It was his third instance of scoring a century and taking a five-wicket haul in the same match, placing him in elite company alongside Ian Botham. 

England’s Downfall: Technique and Temperament 

England’s struggles weren’t rooted in the pitch but in their inability to adapt. The data told a clear story: when English batsmen played off the back foot, they looked more assured. CricViz noted that Joe Root and Ben Stokes had significantly lower false shot percentages when playing back compared to when playing forward. Yet, they often played with angled bats, inviting trouble on a surface demanding straight play. 

The contrast with India was stark. While Kohli and Ashwin showcased the virtues of technique and temperament, England’s batsmen faltered. Their spinners, too, failed to maintain the discipline required on such a track. 

The Verdict 

The Chennai pitch was not the villain. It was a stage—challenging, yes, but fair—for players to showcase their skills. India’s batsmen and bowlers rose to the occasion, demonstrating that success on such surfaces requires discipline, adaptability, and a clear game plan. 

England, on the other hand, fell short. Their inability to adjust their technique and maintain bowling discipline highlighted the gap between the two sides. 

As the dust settles on this Test, one thing is clear: cricket is as much about mental fortitude as it is about skill. The Chennai pitch tested both, and India passed with flying colours. For England, it was a lesson—a reminder that in Test cricket, there are no shortcuts. 

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

A Tale of Redemption and Domination: England’s Triumph in Chennai, 2021

 

The Test series of 1993 remains etched in memory for Indian cricket fans—a period of redemption for skipper Mohammad Azharuddin following a dismal tour of South Africa. England, led by the formidable Graham Gooch, arrived in India brimming with confidence, seeking to replicate their triumphant campaign of 1984-85. But what unfolded was a resounding humiliation as Azharuddin and his spinners orchestrated a clean sweep in Kolkata, Chennai, and Mumbai, reshaping the narrative of Indian cricket. 

Fast forward to 2021, echoes of that history resonated as England once again faced India in Chennai, a venue where they had tasted contrasting fortunes over decades. This time, it was Joe Root’s England, reinvigorated by a stellar performance in Sri Lanka, looking to challenge India on their home turf. Yet, history has often shown that conquering India at home demands a combination of brilliance, strategy, and a touch of audacity. 

A Root Masterclass: Defining the Art of Batting 

Joe Root’s masterful double century was not just a display of technical excellence but also a testament to his adaptability and mental fortitude. Winning the toss proved pivotal as Root opted to bat on a surface destined to deteriorate. England’s openers made a steady start, but two quick strikes left them wobbling at 63 for 2. Enter Root, the man of the hour. 

Root’s approach was a masterclass in resilience. Against Jasprit Bumrah and Ishant Sharma, he showcased impeccable patience, scoring just 11 runs off his first 50 balls. It was a tactical decision, aimed at wearing down India’s formidable bowling attack. His footwork against spin was exemplary, as he cleverly avoided the danger zone of 2-3 meters where Ravichandran Ashwin thrives. Root’s sweeping game, a blend of traditional, hard, and reverse sweeps, dismantled the spinners' rhythm and drew comparisons to the likes of Graham Gooch and Mike Gatting from the 1987 World Cup. 

What stood out was his calculated acceleration. After a conservative start, Root shifted gears seamlessly, scoring 111 off his next 137 balls. His ability to attack with control was evident, with only 12% false shots despite attacking 34% of deliveries in the final session. The innings culminated in a majestic slog-sweep for six, a fitting exclamation point to a knock that laid the foundation for England’s dominance. 

A Tale of Two Teams 

England’s first-innings total of 578, built around Root’s double ton, was a commanding statement. In contrast, India’s response was lackluster. Jofra Archer’s fiery new-ball spell rattled the openers, and Dom Bess capitalized on the pressure, dismissing key players like Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane. Rishabh Pant’s counterattacking 91 and Cheteshwar Pujara’s stoic resistance offered hope, but England’s spinners tightened the noose, leaving India 241 runs behind. 

The Ashwin Show and Anderson’s Magic 

Faced with a mammoth deficit, India turned to their talisman, Ravichandran Ashwin. On a wearing pitch, Ashwin delivered a masterclass in spin bowling, claiming 6 for 61 in England’s second innings. His nine-wicket haul in the match was a reminder of his enduring prowess, but the target of 420 was always a daunting ask. 

Enter James Anderson, the ageless wizard. On a dust bowl seemingly suited for spinners, Anderson produced a spell for the ages. His 7-over burst on the final morning, featuring reverse swing and pinpoint accuracy, left India shell-shocked. The dismissal of Shubman Gill—a reverse-swinging delivery that sent the off-stump cartwheeling—was a masterpiece of craft and execution. Ajinkya Rahane and Rishabh Pant fell to Anderson’s guile, sealing India’s fate. 

England’s Resilience and Redemption 

England’s victory in Chennai was more than just a win; it was a statement of intent. Joe Root’s sublime batting, Dom Bess’s disciplined spin, and James Anderson’s timeless brilliance combined to create a memorable performance. For Root, it was a continuation of his golden run, underscored by a hunger for runs and an unyielding belief in his abilities. 

This match echoed the spirit of 1993 in reverse—a foreign captain leading his side to a commanding victory on Indian soil. While the ghosts of Kolkata and Chennai linger for England, this triumph adds a new chapter to their rich cricketing history. For the Indian team, it served as a sobering reminder of the relentless demands of Test cricket, where even the mightiest can falter. 

As the series unfolded, one thing became clear: this was not just a Test match; it was a celebration of cricket’s enduring charm, where moments of brilliance and resilience intertwine to produce a narrative that transcends the game itself.

 Thank You

Faisal Caesar