Ian Chappell : India take on an unbeatable appearance now
Ian Chappell has reckoned that with major players like Virat Kohli and Ishant Sharma returning, India have a bulletproof cloak which will be too hard to breach for the English side.
The Indian side have been unbeatable at home in the last decade and the kind of bench strength they have at the moment is enviable, to say the least. With multiple first-choice players missing, the side beat Australia in Australia for one of the greatest moments of their history, which made the series a daunting proposition for the English side.
Ian Chappell has reckoned that the side has taken an unbeatable appearance now, especially with Virat Kohli and Ishant Sharma returning for the side.
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“India will start as favourites after an exhilarating victory over Australia, overcoming all obstacles. When you add the name Virat Kohli to the batting order, the team suddenly assumes a bulletproof cloak. In also adding the names R Ashwin, Hardik Pandya and Ishant Sharma to the list of available players, India take on an unbeatable appearance,” Chappell wrote on his column for ESPN Cricinfo.
“The middle order of both teams are a mixture of explosive stroke play with a touch of steadiness for good measure. Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant and the possible addition of Pandya have India well placed to take full advantage of any good start. The ability to swiftly accelerate the scoring is nearly as important to winning Test matches as the capability of taking 20 wickets,” Chappell further added.
Chappell: The series is a battle of top order
India have a fantastic top-order that put every single visiting teams to task in the last few years, with England learning that a hard way when India crushed them by an innings margin despite them scoring almost 500 runs in the first innings. The former Australian skipper stated that the series would ultimately come down to the battle of top order.
“It’s the top of the England order, where another returning player, Rory Burns, will reside, that the scales tip in India’s favour. India’s top three feature an impressive Shubman Gill, a talented but flawed Rohit Sharma and the indomitable Cheteshwar Pujara, which places them well ahead of England’s top order.
“Dom Sibley possesses the grit and determination required for success at the highest level but there are questions about his technique against the best international bowlers. In India and Australia, he will face two of the best in fairly quick succession so that question will be answered in the next 12 months.
“Burns is another in the same category as Sibley, and if both players fail the challenges England will be in trouble unless Joe Root continues to score at his current freakish level.”