INDIA TOUR OF ENGLAND: SWOT ANALYSIS
What is the result of the test series, according to WTC? Do we have the Old Trafford test rescheduled in 2022, as part of WTC? Have India won the series 2–1? Or have England drew level 2–2? These are the questions to be answered, after the 5th Test, due to be scheduled at Manchester, was called off citing COVID. But, first things first, we have been treated with an absolute cracker of a series, with fortunes shifting towards each team in each session. There was a “Never Give Up” attitude that was on display, especially by the Indians, and they made this test series theirs.
STRENGTHS:
- OPENING PARTNERSHIP:
Every time we tour SENA, we end up with 10–2 almost every game, but this time though, it was a tour to remember for both Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul, as they posted three stands of 50+ in 8 innings, and even when they weren’t able to post the 50+ partnership, they ensured that they blunted the shine off the new ball for the later batsmen to flourish.
2. FAST BOWLING CROP:
This current crop, with Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami as senior pacers, have been intimidating on any surfaces they have bowled. I was happy for the way in which Siraj bowled: A pure workhorse, and for Bumrah, who took wickets whenever needed. With 6 bowlers in the present crop, including Shardul Thakur and Umesh Yadav, India have a competent fast bowling unit that can win anywhere. NEXT STOP: AFRICA.
3. TAIL WAG:
There was the big question of whether the Indian tail can hold on for their batters to smash, but they answered with the bat aptly, scoring 3 50s, with Shardul Thakur scoring 2 at the Oval and Shami at Lords. They scored 507 runs at an average of 19.5, against England’s 435 at 15.53, this team is slowly making every weakness as an opportunity to redeem themselves.
4. BOWLING ALL-ROUNDER:
There was a void in the pace bowling all rounder slot post Hardik Pandya, but Shardul Thakur, with his Oval heroics, has showed that he is no less than Hardik with the bat, and he primarily being a bowler,he has taken crucial wickets, dismissing Joe Root twice in four innings. He, with 117 runs in 3 innings and taking 7 wickets at an average of 22, has impressed everyone, and can be considered as “Sam Curran” for India in 2021.
WEAKNESS:
MIDDLE ORDER WOES:
Indian middle order has been the topic of discussion in not only this series, but from the start of 2020, when they have only 1 hundred between them. This series, the most celebrated trio of Pujara, Kohli and Rahane have 554 runs between them, with Rahane’s form spiraling downwards to an extent that he has the second lowest average among players with 3+ tests in the series. The lower middle order also has come under severe criticism, with Pant and Jadeja managing meagre returns with the bat. The Indian middle order this series has been India’s Achilles Heel.
OPPORTUNITIES:
With Pujara and Kohli coming into the groove with two fifties apiece in Leeds and Oval, both of them can feel a sigh of relief, and when the home test series against New Zealand comes, they can continue on their good work by scoring good amount of runs to be in a good frame of mind during their winter tour of South Africa. Rahane’s spot has been under scanner in this series, and there are players like Vihari, Agarwal who has been waiting in the wings. Workload management among fast bowlers could be little more better, as the all-format players need to be fit for every format they play, especially Bumrah.
THREATS:
Once criticized for not backing Pujara and Rahane in the first overseas cycle, this time though, Kohli is criticized for backing them despite their failures. Though Pujara has managed to string some scores, its about Rahane the captain should be wary of. Rahane, post the 100 at MCG, has scored only 2 50s in the 20 innings he has played. The mode of dismissal is also a point of concern, and if it goes on, it would be tough for India in the crucial moments.
Overall, this Indian team has the potential to win the series in South Africa, after their Anglo-Australian triumph. Congratulations, Team India.
