Not much has changed on paper in this Indian team since 2018. But at this time three years ago, by the end of the second Test, Virat’s boys were 0-2 down and were looking down the barrel. This time, they are 1-0 up and had it not been for a final day washout in Nottingham, it could easily have been 2-0. The team has shown the spunk that we have got used to seeing of late, especially after a brilliant come-from-behind win in Australia earlier this year.
Add to that the increasing vulnerability of the England team and the signs of a historic series win for India in England are clearly visible.
Here are the key differences between India’s 2018 approach and the 2021 campaign....
THE ROHIT & RAHUL FACTOR
In 2018, India started the series with M Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan at the top of the order and by the third Test, it was KL Rahul and Dhawan. But nothing worked and the pressure was always on Virat Kohli to deliver. The captain did deliver, with 593 runs in five Tests, but there was hardly any support for him. This time around, Kohli hasn’t been at his best, but the opening duo of Rahul and Rohit Sharma have been so consistent that the frailties of the middle-order have not come to the fore. In both Tests, they have neutralized the new ball.
Denne historien er fra August 22, 2021-utgaven av The Times of India Delhi.
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Denne historien er fra August 22, 2021-utgaven av The Times of India Delhi.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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