I think Panesar was very good on his day too but similar to Moeen we couldn't quite figure out how to get into his head. Swann's single-mindedness was a very important part of his overall package.
England in India 2021
- Thread starter TheGame
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Virdi, Parkinson and Crane are all on tour as reserves.
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Excellent thought provoking post.
As an Indian my favorite has been this last series against Australia but that's likely because it's amazing to see us conquer our biggest challenge, so for me like @zing it will be watching us bat against pace on those kind of tracks.
At the same time my absolute fav bowler and one who I could watch forever is Warne. And as much as I hated when we lost to Pakistan with Sachin getting out to Saqlain.. Watching Saqlain was mesmerizing.
I don't think there is a straight answer to your question.
A win on a green top in England or a bouncy Australian/South African wicket will always be more valuable than anything at home, since when I used to watch those almost never happened, and everyone knew the abject history of India on those tracks. It's why I thought the Indian win at the WACA in 2008 was up there with the wins in the series that just finished. Even the 2007 series win in England against an average side on placid wickets was a big deal. It is kind of like winning at the Nou Camp or Bernabeu or at Bayern, there's a reason the 1999 semi-final is still remembered.
But I'd expect the opposite from (sorry for the shorthand) the white cricketing countries. They've struggled away vs India, and a spinning track in the heat is supposed to be a nightmare, an unconquered final frontier for Waugh, etc.
In terms of thrills and quality, there are some spin-dominated matches I can remember which were very good - the famous Eden gardens follow-on had a great spin-dominated finish, an away win at Sri Lanka when Murali and Mendis were superb, and a one-man contest of Amla vs Harbhajan in another Eden gardens test, Amla remained unbeaten for the whole day, but ran out of partners with 1 over left. I think objectively these were as thrilling, but I'll always value Sachin vs Steyn more.
@berbatrick did you not enjoy Steve Smith vs India from Australia's last tour? It was arguably the best consistent batting against spin from a SENA batsman (even better than KP).
haven't watched a full test match since ~2011
e - i saw bits of the 4-0 defeats in england and australia soon after that but they were so bad i've forgotten all of it.
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That was the year of Dhoni and trundlers.
Some great test series in the past 6-7 years, including Australia's last series in India.
5 down.
Ashwin could get a 100 and 10 wickets in a match. What a champion. India needs to find somebody once he and Jaddu retire in a few years..
Gavaskar is so so bad 
I remember about two years ago on this forum having an exchange with someone who ridiculed me for saying they’re two of the best ever spinners india produced.
can’t remember who it was.
Jadeja’s spin abilities are incredibly underrated because he has so many facets to hisgame.
Weird shot selection by England today. Both Ollie Pope and Foakes got out to nothing balls really. Even Root should have been out but was dropped after playing the reverse sweep which was again unnecessary.
Ashwin has got Stokes out 10 times in 19 innings. That's broad-werner esque.
Ashwin has got Stokes out 10 times in 19 innings. That's broad-werner esque.
Agreed about Jadeja, he is very good bowler and very underrated too. If he was playing in this test, it would have been even easier win.
Ashwin is considered as one of our best even bowlers and he is one of our best ever all-rounders too.
England vs Australia is the no. 1 series home or away for those countries because of the history & rivalry between the sides. I think most English supporters realize India and Pakistan are probably the most difficult places to tour and offer the biggest sporting challenge. Also, don’t forget lots of players from the subcontinent have played county and league cricket in England and have far more experience of English conditions than most English players have of playing in the sub continent.
I don’t think white countries is an appropriate comment btw, the UK is a multicultural country with supporters from all kinds of backgrounds. Nothing to do with skin color.
Jadeja would've been ridiculous on this pitch. He's a huge miss for us.
Axar is basically a poor man's Jadeja and he has troubled England a lot in this match.
Ashwin outscored Kohli.. now Kohli wont let Ashwin get his record.
Booo
Moeen finalised his IPL contract. Is he going back after this match?
Shame Ashwin didnt get 10 wickets.
Has Rory Burns done anything of note since the Ashes in 2019?
Brilliant win for India. Completely outplayed England who just gave up after they saw ball spinning. Not a good showing from them.
Ashwin, rohit and axar were just brilliant. I know some are unhappy ash didn't pick up 10 wickets but I am more happy kuldeep picked up 2 wickets. The boy needed some confidence after having tough couple of years. Also glad axar picked up a 5fer. I know pitch is turning more than the first test but he has done what nadeem failed to do in the first test. All in all a brilliant performance.
Ashwin, rohit and axar were just brilliant. I know some are unhappy ash didn't pick up 10 wickets but I am more happy kuldeep picked up 2 wickets. The boy needed some confidence after having tough couple of years. Also glad axar picked up a 5fer. I know pitch is turning more than the first test but he has done what nadeem failed to do in the first test. All in all a brilliant performance.
For us to reach WTC final, we need this series win by 2 test margin, correct?
Nah we can reach the finals in 2-1
Position defiantly under threat as is Sibley if Crawley is fit then he comes in so take your pick out of them two, best of a bad duo I suppose one way you can look at it.
Okay. Motera has wide variety of pitches. Will be interesting matches.
Read NZ have a short tour in England before the WTC final. Thats nice bit of advantage before the championship match.
Guess England will drop Lawrence and burns and pick Crawley and Bairstow. Would be the right move. Moeen going back is a bit of a blow.
Well done India, thoroughly outplayed England across the test. Hopefully England can bounce back in the next one, need a reaction to this. Some players coming back so expect some changes.
I think England's squad rotation makes sense but not the matches the players are choosing to sit out. That seems muddled to me.
I don't really know much about the pink ball in the subcontinent are we expecting more/less turn? more bounce/less bounce? in the next test obviously.
The relevant English players have arguably more IPL experience than Indian players of county cricket.
What did he say?Gavaskar is so so bad
The opening batsman situation really is ridiculous for England. When Cook was there, the challenge seemed to be finding a good partner for him, and now that he’s retired there are two voids to fill that haven’t been filled yet.
For a country that produces so many quality cricketers, it’s a bit crazy they can’t find any consistent openers.
Not really a fan of the terminology used with Moeen "choosing to go home" for a pre-arranged break from the bubble with Buttler and Bairstow being "rested"
Great performance from the team. Huge third test match coming up - will we see record crowds for this?
Massive debut for Axar. Really happy for the guy. Also R Ashwin has been incredible for us these last few years. His improvement in foreign conditions and his ability at home has made into him into a legend for India. What a player.
Massive debut for Axar. Really happy for the guy. Also R Ashwin has been incredible for us these last few years. His improvement in foreign conditions and his ability at home has made into him into a legend for India. What a player.
Agreed, really not a good look that is it.
Well done India, a thorough pasting. Clearly undercooked for the first Test. Sets the series up nicely for the day/night Test.
I don't think it was the plan, was it? Otherwise they wouldn't have dropped Bess for him.
Root was pretty forthright in his defence of Mooen in the press conference at any rate.
So India couldn’t bat on the wicket they prepared?