Daijiworld Media Network
Southampton, Jul 27 : In stark contrast to England, India find themselves in a happy space. But they must guard against complacency and keep up the intensity. While Vijay, Rahane and Pujara have hit their straps, the Delhi pair of Dhawan and Kohli have been guilty of throwing away starts. Bhuvi has excelled both with the bowl and bat and will continue to be the key for India. Bhuvi has three fifties and two five-fers in first two Tests.
Jos Buttler, who was deemed 'not ready' for Test cricket a couple of months ago has been promoted to slip into Prior's shoes. The English bowlers did well in patches in both Tests but failed to seize crucial junctures. Anderson has hitherto bowled 111 overs and looked jaded as the Lord's Test hurtled to its close. Broad faces the issue of burnout and exhaustion as well. Meanwhile, the hunt for the next Graeme Swann goes on and on. Moeen Ali has not done badly but England need a spinner, who is plenty more than a partnership-breaker.
Pitch report: 'There has only been one Test match here. It was 2011 when Sri Lanka played England in a rain-affected match. The first thing that strikes you about this pitch is its comparison with Lord's. The grass is not fresh and green but it is denser. There will be good bounce and carry.'
Ishant banged in the bouncers and sustained good direction but England's hooking disease on the final day was more about their poor application. Captain Cook looks mentally shot - he looks bereft of a Plan-B on the field, the runs have dried up, the chorus for his axing has gotten louder and louder. Ian Bell too has looked far from his usual solid self. Battling injuries and shoddy form, Matt Prior has stood down from this Test and it might possibly be the end of the road for the Sussex man. Arguably, his reflexes have waned in direct correlation to the shininess of his pate. Cook will be mindful of the fact that another failure or two would sound the death knell for him.
India have finally cast the gorilla off their back, breaking their overseas win-less streak that lasted 1124 days. Inspired by Vijay, Bhuvneshwar and Ishant, the visitors conquered Lord's only for the second time and with it gain a crucial 1-0 lead going into the second Test at Ageas Bowl. India have won two Tests in a series in England only once 0when Kapil Dev's devils achieved it it 1986. Can MS Dhoni's merry bunch repeat the feat?
Kevin Pietersen's special for the Telegraph UK carries the headline: 'Alastair Cook should resign the England captaincy and seek emergency help for his batting'
'People have to realise he could take a while to adapt to the longer form, just as it took a while for Buttler to convince everyone he could do a job for England in limited-overs cricket.'
'Buttler stands up, shimmies across his stumps but not so far that hes exposing them too much and watches the ball. He doesnt try to overhit and keeps his head in line with the ball. He has a strong bottom hand and almost rubbery wrists, and has the confidence to go through with the stroke.'
Writing for the Daily Mail, Nasser Hussain believes that Jos Buttler can ramp it up. The former England skipper pens, 'The most exciting thing about Jos Buttler is that he can hit 360 degrees he can play almost any shot, anywhere. Thats not to say we should be expecting him to open his box of tricks in a Test match. It would be completely unfair to burden him with that. But from what weve seen of him so far in limited-overs cricket for England, the boy has got some serious talent.'
Before the action unfolds, let us have a gander at what the newspapers are saying.
Interestingly this will be the second only Test at the Ageas Bowl. It welcomed Sri Lanka with a greenish pitch some three years ago. What does it have in store for us today?
To spice things up, the Anderson-Jadeja spat took a U-turn with the latter copping a fine for 'aggressive approaching' Anderson. MS Dhoni has reacted strongly to Ravindra Jadeja being fined by match referee David Boon. The Indian captain made no bones about what he felt was a 'hurtful decision.' Expect another intense battle at the Ageas Bowl.
With Rohit Sharma, having an extended nets, India have hinted at revisiting their preferred 7 batsmen- 4 bowler strategy.
Ishant has come of age and seems ready to shoulder additional responsibilities much like how Zaheer did in the late 2000s. Shami though has been up-down both with the new ball and old ball. Binny's batting salvaged a draw at TB but India have not earned much from his bowling. If Binny is dropped, as seems increasingly likely, its a straight choice between Ravi Ashwin and Rohit Sharma for his place.
In stark contrast to England, India find themselves in a happy space. But they must guard against complacency and keep up the intensity. While Vijay, Rahane and Pujara have hit their straps, the Delhi pair of Dhawan and Kohli have been guilty of throwing away starts. Bhuvi has excelled both with the bowl and bat and will continue to be the key for India.
Ben Stokes, who hasn't scored a run in three innings with the bat might pave way for Chris Jordan.