Despite Dominant Win, Team India’s Lingering Issues in 3rd Test against England

The Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot witnessed an emphatic performance by Team India as they secured a resounding 434-run victory over England in the third Test of the five-match series. The win not only propelled India to a 2-1 lead in the series but also strengthened their position in the race for the World Test Championship final. However, beneath the surface of this dominant win, there are noteworthy concerns that Team India must address before the crucial fourth Test.

England’s Impressive Display at the Top of the Order

Despite India’s convincing win, one glaring issue has been the inability to break England’s opening partnerships consistently. The Rajkot Test saw the first instance in the series where the openers failed to score at least 45 runs, and that too was due to a run-out. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett have been consistently successful, posting impressive stands in the series.

Rohit Sharma‘s decision not to introduce Ashwin early has been a point of discussion, and Duckett’s aggressive approach against pacers has prevented Jadeja from making an impact with the new ball. Breaking the opening partnership early is crucial, and India needs to devise effective plans to contain the attacking England openers, especially Duckett.

India’s Spinners in the Face of Attack

While the spinners played a pivotal role in the second innings at Rajkot, dismantling England with ease, the concerns lie in their performance when attacked on placid wickets. In the first innings, Ravindra Jadeja, typically economical, leaked runs at an unusual rate. Across the series, R Ashwin has struggled to make the impact expected of him on home soil.

Kuldeep Yadav’s inclusion over Axar Patel brought a positive change, but the spinners need to devise effective plans when under pressure. England’s varied strategies, including aggressive strokes and sweeping, have often left the Indian spinners searching for answers. Jadeja, in particular, needs to display more versatility in his bowling to counteract the opposition’s tactics effectively.

Ensuring Jasprit Bumrah’s Longevity and Performance

Jasprit Bumrah’s workload has been a cause for concern, given his history of injuries. Recent reports suggest he might be rested for the Ranchi Test to manage his workload. However, the dilemma for India lies in the need for a win to seal the series against a formidable England side.

The lack of reliable pace-bowling options, with Mukesh Kumar’s struggles and Akash Deep’s untested abilities, complicates the decision to rest Bumrah. Fielding him after a short turnaround time may also pose challenges. The delicate balance between winning the series and preserving Bumrah’s fitness remains a significant challenge for the team management.

Despite the overwhelming victory in Rajkot, Team India faces lingering issues that demand attention. The spinners need to adapt to different match situations, Bumrah’s workload management requires careful consideration, and strategies to tackle England’s formidable openers must be refined. As the caravan moves to Ranchi and Dharamsala for the remaining Tests, Rohit Sharma and his team must address these concerns to secure the series and maintain their pursuit of World Test Championship glory.

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