England, with their affinity for the sweep shot, has the opportunity to achieve a feat that no team has accomplished in a decade.
England is ahead in the series with a 1-0 lead.
It might seem astonishing, given the frequent discussions about their home record, but India has been in this situation before: trailing on the score line heading into a second Test, a scenario they’ve encountered five times since 2000. However, only the formidable Australian team of 2004 managed to convert an early lead into a series victory. It underscores the difficulty of maintaining dominance in these conditions without facing retaliation.
Even in the current decade, marked by invincibility, India has displayed resilience in overturning early deficits. In Bengaluru, they showcased a masterclass in attritional bowling. Four years later in Chennai, they adopted a contrasting approach, dominating on a challenging turning wicket. Now, as they head into Vizag in 2024, the hosts aim to convince the world that their facade remains intact and that they don’t succumb to consecutive home Test losses, at least not since 2012.
Yet, with time ticking away, Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid must uphold a proud record with a squad that boasts fewer Test runs than Joe Root, where Ravichandran Ashwin stands as the highest wicket-taker and second-highest run and century-maker. The captain-coach duo seeks swift solutions, facing a team that has thrived on a constant dose of uncertainty for the past 18 months, sweeping aside any rotating red spherical object in recent weeks.
Despite the afterglow, it’s crucial to remember that India remained India in Hyderabad, albeit slightly less sharp. They held a 190-run lead and missed some chances. Ultimately, they were undone by what was, in many ways, a remarkable innings. The follow-up will be intriguing, as imitation, even subtly, serves as both a hat-tip and an acknowledgment of shedding inhibitions.
However, if they lose the toss again and encounter a similar pitch, India will demand better control from their bowlers and more enterprise from their batters, including the captain. For the second time in two years, Rohit faces a substantial challenge at home, with the series marker laid down very early. The unfolding events present a tantalizing prospect.
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