IND vs ENG, 1st Test | Five Player Battles To Watch Out For
Rohit Sharma in training (AP Photos)
The subplots in India's quest to end Bazball's astonishing run during the forthcoming five-match Test series against England will involve multiple enticing match-ups and player battles that would go a long way in determining the two teams' on-field fortunes.
We at 'OneCricket' focus on five such exciting player duels and clashes ahead of the opening Test of the marquee rubber in Hyderabad, starting Thursday (January 25) with the dominant hosts and their English counterparts featuring some high-skill performers in their arsenal.
Joe Root vs Axar Patel
Root has struggled vs Axar in India [X.com]
Joe Root may have been a rare visiting batter to have dominated the famed spin pairing of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja but the great right-hander doesn't boast of as impressive a track record facing the understated figure of troika - Axar Patel.
Patel, who had a pathbreaking maiden Test series the last time England toured India in early 2021, was particularly exceptional in countering the Root threat. The left-arm spinner relished the turn and spite on offer from the tracks in Chennai and Ahmedabad and dismissed him thrice in six innings.
Zak Crawley vs Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah bowling [X.com]
It would've been the most one-sided duel at the start of Crawley's career but since finding assurance and role-clarity in the 'Bazball' era, he has emerged as one of England's key players, someone who would look to try and ruffle Bumrah's feathers early.
The great Indian seamer will have to get rid of him early to ensure the start goes India's way in Hyderabad with the new ball. Since June 2022, Crawley has made 1,117 runs in 18 Tests with two centuries and five fifties at a strike rate of 78.49.
Ben Duckett vs Mohammed Siraj
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Mohammed Siraj [X.com]
One of the players who have really transformed their game since embracing the 'Bazball' approach is left-hand opener Ben Duckett, whose comeback has inspired a prolific run as he averages 53.21 under the Stokes-McCullum regime with 1,011 runs in 11 Tests and 21 innings.
Duckett, however, is still slightly susceptible to the moving ball and this is where Indian fast-bowler Mohammed Siraj's ability to generate swing and a knack of taking early wickets could come in handy for India. Siraj will be determined to get rid of Duckett early and provide an early breakthrough.
Rohit Sharma vs Jack Leach
Rohit Sharma as Test opener [X.com]
With a turning pitch expected, England are likely to hand their disciplined and incisive left-arm spinner Jack Leach the new ball. Leach has a fantastic arm ball, which makes life difficult for opening batters when it's combined seamlessly with the one that turns conventionally away from the outside edge. He had a successful tour to India in 2021, taking 18 wickets at 28.72.
To counter him, however, India possess a trump card in their skipper and rising opening bat Rohit Sharma, who has made a meal of spin threats in home conditions over the past five years. Since he began opening the innings, Rohit is averaging a highly impressive 51.23 in the toughest role with seven centuries next to his name.
Ben Stokes vs R Ashwin
Ashwin loves bowling to left-handers [X.com]
Stokes has over the years been a thorn in many bowler's flesh but even England's persistent match-winner has found no safe answers to the greatness of Ashwin, especially in Indian conditions. Ashwin has dominated Stokes over the years in home terrain and conceded just 165 runs for nine wickets against him.
Stokes is one of many left-handers against whom Ashwin has enjoyed wood at the Test level. The tables will have to turn for England if they are to thwart the great off-spinner's threat in Hyderabad and the rest of the four Tests and give Rohit Sharma's men a genuine scare.
 "Kashish Chadha")
