IND vs ENG 1st Test Live Score: India & England are all set to lock horns in the five-match Test Series on Indian soil. Defeating India on their home ground is a challenge for other teams like Australia (early 2000’s) and South Africa (early 2010’s). In the last 15 years, India has played 65 Test matches at home & ended up losing 6 of them.
Team England has troubled India the most with 2 wins two of which came during their India tour. They are also the last team to win a Test series against India in India & will aim to continue the same momentum in this tour as well. England will hope that their Bazball approach yields results & helps them to win this series just as they won the Pakistan & New Zealand series. The first test of the series will begin on 25th January on the grounds of Hyderabad & it’s going to be an exhilarating affair.
IND vs ENG Teams Preview
India Preview
India returns to playing a home Test after a hiatus of 10 months, introducing several new faces to the squad. Young talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, and Mukesh Kumar have been given opportunities, showcasing India’s commitment to nurturing emerging players. Despite the absence of Cheteshwar Pujara in the middle order, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli, who performed well in South Africa, aim to fill the void. Kohli will miss the first two tests due to personal reasons, but the inclusion of Axar Patel and Jasprit Bumrah adds strength to the lineup.
India’s dominance in Test matches at home has been attributed to their bowling prowess, particularly the spinners. The lethal combination of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja has posed challenges for visiting teams. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj form a formidable pace partnership, especially in home conditions.
Predicted Playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma(C), Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Dhruv Jurel(wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Mohammed Siraj, and Jasprit Bumrah.
England Preview
England, having faced the daunting task of playing against Indian spinners on turning wickets, has adopted a Bazball approach to counter the challenge. While their overall record in India might not be impressive, recent victories against Pakistan and New Zealand using Bazball tactics have boosted their confidence. The withdrawal of Harry Brook from the tour has added some uncertainty, leading to the inclusion of Dan Lawrence.
England’s batting unit, known for its Bazball skills, faces the challenge of executing them on dry, low, and slow Indian pitches. With a settled top and middle order, including players like Johnny Bairstow and Ben Foakes, England aims to tackle the spinning conditions. The spin attack, led by Jack Leach, and supported by Rehan Ahmed and Tom Hartley, adds depth to their bowling. The absence of Stuart Broad for the first time, coupled with the inclusion of Mark Wood and Ollie Robinson, adds variety to the pace battery.
Predicted Playing XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Johnny Bairstow, Ben Stokes(C), Ben Foakes (wk), Ollie Robinson, Mark Wood, Rehan Ahmed, and Jack Leach.
Pitch and Weather Conditions
The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad is expected to offer a pitch conducive to run-making in the initial days but will become progressively difficult for scoring as the match progresses. With no signs of rain expected over the five days, weather conditions appear favorable for an uninterrupted game.
IND vs ENG Winning Prediction
As England attempts to implement Bazball strategies in India, questions linger about their ability to replicate the success of their predecessors from a decade ago. The current Indian spin attack, although lacking experience, poses a challenge for England’s batsmen. Considering these factors, India is poised to secure victory in this test match.
In conclusion, the India vs. England Test series promises cricket enthusiasts an exciting battle between two formidable teams. With India’s historical dominance at home and England’s innovative Bazball approach, the series opener in Hyderabad is set to be a captivating encounter. Cricket fans around the world eagerly await the unfolding drama as the teams vie for supremacy in the challenging conditions of Indian Test cricket.
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