England v India: second men's cricket Test, day one

The Guardian

02-07-2025

Update:
Date: 2025-07-02T09:00:12.000Z
Title: Preamble
Content: 'It's called a Test for a reason' is one of Test cricket's most enduring cliches. Generally speaking, though, its deployment references the sporting aspect: what happens out there in the middle.
But the reality is somewhat different. Though the game remains testing, an extended examination of will and skill, for those with requisite ability and mentality the more significant test is abandoning friends, family and life for months at a time and year after year – while also being expected to perform.
As such, and though there were other operative factors, it is not entirely surprising that, on recent tours to India and Pakistan, England won the first Test of the series before losing the others. Similarly, in the most recent Ashes, Australia won the first two then lost the second two, and when South Africa last visited, they won the first before being clattered in the second and third.
Or, in other words, it's hard not to fear for India. Of course there's the playing aspect – a young team and a novice captain, coming to terms with the retirements of three champions, facing hosts who may just be maturing from something special into something serious. We know, though, that they can play – and they proved it at Headingley, a match it should have been impossible for them to lose. Yet lose it they did, meaning they arrive at Edgbaston trailing 1-0 with four matches still to go. It may not be a long way back, but it is a long way home.
Play: 11am BST