England started off the India series brilliantly with a 28-run win in Hyderabad, had their chances in Vizag and Rajkot as well, but somehow blew them away, which resulted in heavy defeats. In fact, in the third Test, the visitors suffered a massive 434-run win, after which they might not be able to bounce back in the series.
At least former England captain Michael Vaughan feels so. He told Cricbuzz, “No, no I don’t. I think it’s a real long shot. I think playing in India, I’ve never known an Indian side get worse as the series goes on. They generally get better.
“I think they’ve worked out the pitches. I think the first pitch where it spun and bounced a huge amount… England batted first but I think it brought England’s spinners into the equation. In the last two Test matches the pitches have been pretty good, with a little bit of spin and it’s deteriorated more on days three and four, so the first innings is pretty much a flat wicket.
“I’ll be amazed if they go back to a Test wicket in Ranchi that we saw in the first week in Hyderabad where it was just spinning far too much. On a flatter wicket I just think the quality of the spinners and bowlers will shine through.”
Who Should England Play
Vaughan wasn’t much impressed with the way pacers James Anderson and Mark Wood bowled, and started weighing in on other options. “Who are England going to play? Jimmy Anderson and Mark Wood look cooked,’ he added.
“Young spin attack, Joe Root is looking the most consistent of all the spinners, but is it worth them playing Shoaib Bashir to give Root a little bit of a breather to help his batting? Rehan Ahmed, does he need a little bit of a breather? He’s just a young kid and he’s played three Test matches on the trot. He’s looking a little bit tired as well.
“Can they bring in Dan Lawrence for Jonny Bairstow? I’m not too sure where the selection is going to go but I have to be honest, I think this is going to be trouble for England. I think it’s going to be very, very difficult.”
