Kuldeep, Patidar and Sarfaraz hone their skills

What is common between the 2016 and 2021 home Test series against England, apart from the fact that both were ultimately bagged? Then too, India did not win the series opener. 

- Somshuvra Laha

And every time that happened, the pitch for the next match automatically earned a higher rank in the conversation. Fueling similar anticipation, the surface at Visakhapatnam looks brown, if not a bit dry. Also, Jack Leach hasn't trained, and almost every Indian batter brought out the reverse sweep in a clear attempt to correct previous wrongs. Just one Test in and rarely have India looked as busy as they do now for a home series.

It makes sense though. Not being able to chase 231 was a wake-up call with India never needing to score more than 172 in the fourth innings at home incidentally against England, in 2016 in the last 10 years. When they were pressed to cross 200 though, the batters succumbed. Some, like Shubman Gill, were guilty of prodding at a flighted ball without showing any footwork. Which is why Rahul Dravid was seen trying to take Gill through the process of playing spin, showing him how to use his long stride to dead bat the ball after spending enough time tuning his range.