England’s win against India might have number of loopholes but to win the series against no 1 side after a barren run of winter down under shows that Joe Root’s side has mental strength its just they need to plug the weakness to swiftly rise again in Test rankings, Abhishek Srivastava analysis what does it mean for England to lead by 3-1 after Southampton test
There was a sigh of relief on Joe Root’s face when England won the Southampton Test.At last England had won a series after a frustrating winter.A year were England never looked a threatening side.A year where they have suffered numerous lows especially in the Southern Hemisphere. However what lacked most was self-belief and above all a desire to go for the kill when on top. This was the reason when they drew the series against Pakistan it was deemed to be a good one for England for they won a test almost after a gap of seven months. However, the tests against India were to be sterner examination as Virat Kohli’s team look to be a better traveler than its preceeders.
The Southampton test was close but the domination of Lords which saw them take 2-0 lead signaled that England were back on winning ways but as has been the case with many English wins , the Trent Bridge brought them back to Earth and with score 86-6 on first morning at Southampton it looked England will squander there lead. However one of the most positive aspects of England this summer have been chances given to the young guns who have no scars like past players like Sam Curran and Olie Pope both 20 were given chances and Curran has proved to be a revelation.He and Moeen Ali bailed them out first time taking them to 246 , a fighting score.This was there first test of mental strength in tough conditions and they came over triumph
The Second occasion was the second morning after Lunch when Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane were motoring along the score and have taken India to 142-2, it was here Curran struck and later Ali, Stokes combined to bundle India out for 273, in spite of a late resurge. The third time England’s mental strength was on test when Joe Root decided to drop him at no.4 and sent Moeen Ali at no.3 instead. While he came to bat there was tantrums from Indian fielders especially Captain Kohli was quite vocal and he even commented of finishing of England as India was on fire with England leading by only 6 runs and with 2 players back in the pavilion . Root calmed the ship with Jennings and before getting run out at 122 , he looked every inch secure, later on England defied India with crucial partnerships as Stokes/Buttler and later Buttler/Curran added crucial runs in testing times when India was building the pressure this was another instance of England’s mental strength as they set India a challenging 245 on the fourth morning.
When England started with a brilliant spell of fast bowling from Anderson and Broad and reduced India for 22-3 it looked they will cruise easily but that wasn’t to be Kohli and Rahane first defied England and then started to add on runs, the partnership started to prosper well and continued mounting pressure on England. At 123-3 , when India were at half the stage , it was test of who will blink first England or India , the test of strength and character and Root who continued bowling Mooen reaped the reward as Kohli was dismissed and Indian chase soon was derailed as they lost last 7 wickets for 61 runs, losing the test by 61 runs. Later on Virat Kohli admitted in the press conference that England were more mentaly tough side who played well in tough conditions better than India.
The win might have come at home and there are still a lot of loopholes in the side but it takes a courage for a young team with so many shortcomings and after being so badly beaten and humiliated for 6 months to come back and win 4 of its last 5 tests. Which includes a series win against World No. 1 Test side. Therefore its time to give credit to Joe Root and his boys where they deserve it for standing and delivering, after all, we have almost crucified them after a barren winter down under. For the team and its captain though Oval test will be a vital one not only to avenge a 4-0 defeat in India but a win in the final bout will give a 4-1 scoreline which will give them a massive boost for winter challenges apart from continuing the revival in fortunes.
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