It is not really the Pataudi Trophy when England tour India because the name is given only for the India against England series held in England but for convenience, let me call it the Pataudi Trophy. The fact of the matter is that this series has not really captured the imagination of the public in the same way as India vs Australia or Australia vs England because the series between these teams have been more or less one-sided. Either India has won convincingly or England has won handsomely, except in 2007 when India won in England and England in India in 2012. The 2022 series was the only closely fought series between these two teams.
Nevertheless, one more series has been thrust upon us now that the big 3 of Australia, England and India have decided to play among themselves more often than not, perhaps, it is time to preview the next edition of the Pataudi Trophy.
Key Indian batsmen
It is a given that both Rohit’s and Kohli’s wickets will be the most sought after for England. They have the experience of playing on such tracks for eons though all of them at the highest level. The fact that Kohli will miss the first couple of Tests is a bonus for England. He is in good form having scored runs in South Africa and in white ball cricket. He is confident after a stellar World Cup campaign and his absence is a serious blow for India. There is no doubt about that. Rohit on the otherhand manages to score easily where the rest of the batsmen struggle. The last time England was here, Rohit played a sublime knock of about 150 when no one else was even able to reach 50.
The 3rd Indian batsman that England will be wary of is Shreyas Iyer. Yes, he is more or less a sitting duck against the short-ball but on Indian pitches that hardly bounce, he must find himself at home. Moreover, he is an excellent player of spin which is an asset on Indian wickets. It is hard to believe that if Kohli had been available, Shreyas Iyer would have missed out now that the BCCI is adamant that Rahul cannot keep wickets. One wonders what has Gill done for him to be considered worthy of a spot whereas Shreyas Iyer, who has performed well in India, is not.
The youngsters like Gill and Jaiswal will be under pressure to deliver and make a name for themselves. Gill has been given a lot of chances but he is yet to show any significant returns for the chances. As for the Indian medium bowlers, they will be a welcome addition if they can chip in with wickets time and again.
Key Indian bowlers
Well, it is a no-brainer. It is always Ashwin and Jadeja. These two have picked up an enormous number of wickets. The opposition is defeated even before they step foot in the country. If the pitch is a square turner, England can kiss their chances goodbye. With the batting abilities of both Ashwin and Jadeja, I think a legspinner, in the form of Kuldeep Yadav could be an excellent addition.
Axar Patel is there ahead of him in the pecking order and he can contribute with the bat too but a legspinner of the left-arm variety will bamboozle the English batsmen. It remains to be seen what the management thinks about. Probably, with the experience of Kohli missing in the middle order, the team management will want to strengthen the lower middle order and hence may go the way of Axar Patel. He will not be a bad addition though.
Key English batsmen
Joe Root, who is an excellent player of spin with his new found range of strokes at a higher strike rate will always remain a threat to India. He reads spin extremely well. The humungous scores in the subcontinent are a testimony to the fact about his ability to play spin. He is a damn good batsman to be not able to raise upto the challenge of facing Ashwin, Jadeja and one of Patel or Kuldeep.
Johnny Bairstow is another who must be among the runs. The old Bairstow would have struggled but the Bazball Bairstow is a revelation. He is not afraid anymore of playing shots. He does not really care about the situation of the game. He sure seems to have been told by the English management to just bat his natural way. If the pitches do not offer extravagant turn, expect a couple of belligerent innings from Bairstow.
Ben Stokes for his ability is batting too low. He must be at number 2 with Root at number one or vice versa. It is unfortunate that he hasn’t done his batting any justice so far in his career. The time has come for him to consider himself as a batsman rather than an allrounder. Ofcourse, he can bowl but only if the situation demands it. When all other bowlers weren’t able to make much inroads.
Wrapping up the Pataudi Trophy
India starts as the firm favourite. They have ruled England in India over the last 25 years except for a Kevin Pietersen inspired series win in 2012. As I have mentioned above, the series between these teams has mostly been one way or the other. With the inexperience that England’s bowling attack possesses, it terms of spin ability, it will be hard for them to push India.
Other India vs England blogs
https://icricketcritique.com/chepauk-pitch-has-invited-lot-of-criticism/
https://icricketcritique.com/criticism-about-the-motera-pitch-and-the-inability-of-the-batsmen/
https://icricketcritique.com/gains-and-losses-for-india-after-the-england-series/
https://icricketcritique.com/players-must-not-defend-pitches/
https://icricketcritique.com/manchester-test-cancelled-and-my-views-two/
https://icricketcritique.com/manchester-test-cancelled-and-my-views-one/
https://icricketcritique.com/india-vs-england-third-test/
https://icricketcritique.com/the-final-test-preview/