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'Ginormous talent pool': Ben Stokes warns against underestimating India in post-Kohli-Rohit era
On the eve of the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy opener in Leeds, England captain Ben Stokes dismissed the notion that India would be weaker without Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and R Ashwin. Stokes said India's 'ginormous' talent pool ensures their replacements will be just as challenging. He acknowledged Jasprit Bumrah's threat but emphasised England's focus remains on the entire team. With Shubman Gill leading a new-look India, the five-Test series promises a compelling contest.
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The Hindu
43 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Data Shows India Struggles Most When the Ball Swings Less in England: A Stats Feature
A new era for Indian Test cricket begins on June 20, when the side starts its five-match series against England in Leeds. For a new-look Indian batting order, now without the experience of the recently retired Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, English conditions will present a stern examination. Newly appointed captain Shubman Gill and his fellow batters will have their techniques tested by the moving ball in England's swing-friendly environment. Swing has long been a defining feature of Test cricket in England. This is enabled by the country's near-perpetual overcast skies, the generally lush and unabrasive outfields, and the firm nature of its pitches. These factors combine to ensure that swing persists throughout a Test match and is more pronounced on average than in any other SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) country. Notably, swing in England tends to remain consistent regardless of ball age. The red cherry continues to move more in the air across innings than it typically does elsewhere in the SENA group. This phenomenon is further amplified by the use of the Dukes ball. Its pronounced seam and greater durability allow for more sustained and pronounced movement in the air. Conversely, reverse swing is relatively rare in England. The milder weather and softer outfields reduce the chances of the ball scuffing up enough to reverse appreciably. For Indian batters, who have grown up playing in conditions far less conducive to swing, the English question has long been a perplexing one. India's top-order batters have averaged just 30.31 in England across 121 Tests since 1932 — their second-lowest return in any country, ahead of only South Africa (28.88). While Indian batting began to improve in England in the 1970s and peaked in the 2000s, the trend has reversed in recent times. Since 2010, India has played 23 Tests in England — across four bilateral series and two World Test Championship finals. In these matches, its top-order average has slumped to 28.69 — only four teams have fared worse in that span. It is also India's third-lowest average in any country during this period. Interestingly, India's struggles are more pronounced when the ball swings less. Since 2010, Indian top-seven batters in England average just 25.23 when the ball swings under 0.75° — only West Indies has done worse. India's averages remain subpar even in higher swing brackets (0.75–1.50° and 1.50–2.25°). Virat Kohli summed up the challenge of batting in England during the 2021 series: 'You can never say in England that now you are set. You have to put your ego in your pocket. You need good decision-making because conditions in England are the toughest in the world, in my opinion.' Kohli's own journey in England was marked by extremes. In 2014, he averaged just 13.40 across five Tests. Four years later, he bounced back with a superb 593-run series, including two centuries and three fifties. That turnaround, Kohli said, came from understanding that batting in England demands sustained focus: 'The conditions are not like in other places where, once you reach 30 or 40, you can start picking balls to hit. In England, you have to bat the way you did for your first 30 runs and repeat the same template for as long as possible. This discipline and patience are essential. If you're not patient in England, you can get out at any time — regardless of your experience or the number of runs you have.' While this advice is sound in theory, executing it is far from easy — especially for a largely inexperienced Indian line-up in 2025. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Karun Nair, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel, Abhimanyu Easwaran, and Washington Sundar are all yet to play a Test in England. One small consolation for the visitor is the absence of England's legendary swing duo — James Anderson and Stuart Broad. The pair has taken a combined 169 wickets against India at home, at an average of just 23.41. Even so, for Gill and company, this series promises to be as tough a baptism as Test cricket gets. Related Topics India vs England
The Hindu
3 hours ago
- The Hindu
ENG vs IND, 1st Test: Shubman Gill-led India takes on England's inexperienced bowling attack in battle of the unknown
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News18
3 hours ago
- News18
James Anderson To Jasprit Bumrah: Most Wickets In India-England Tests
Last Updated: With 149 wickets to his name in 39 matches, former England fast bowler James Anderson is the leading wicket-taker in India-England Tests. India and England will face each other in a five-match Test series. The series opener will be played at Headingley in Leeds from June 20 to 24, and the next four matches are scheduled to take place at Edgbaston, Lord's, Old Trafford, and The Oval, respectively. Jasprit Bumrah, who is the world's No. 1 Test bowler, will lead India's bowling attack and will have the support of Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Shardul Thakur, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Arshdeep Singh, along with Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar. England's bowling attack in the series opener will be spearheaded by experienced Chris Woakes in the company of Josh Tongue, Brydon Carse, and spinner Shoaib Bashir. All these players would like to bring their A game in the next five days and do everything possible to help their respective sides get the better of the other. Many great bowlers from India and England have featured in the Test matches between the two teams in the past 93 years, and ahead of the start of the 2025 edition of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, here's a look at the top five wicket-takers in India-England Tests. James Anderson (England) – 149 wickets James Anderson is England's most capped Test player as well as its most successful bowler. He played 39 Tests against India during his 21-year-long career and accounted for the dismissal of 149 batters. Ravichandran Ashwin (India) – 114 wickets In 24 Tests for India against England, Ashwin dismissed 114 batters. The 38-year-old cricketer from Chennai is the only Indian bowler to take more than 100 wickets in the five-day format of the game against Poms. Former Indian spinner Bhagwath Chandrasekhar played 23 Tests against the English team and accounted for the dismissal of 95 batters. Anil Kumble (India) – 92 wickets Former India Test captain Anil Kumble made 19 Test appearances against England during his 18-year-long career and dismissed 92 batters. Bishan Singh Bedi (India) – 85 wickets Legendary Bishan Singh Bedi picked up 85 wickets in 22 Tests for India against England. The overall record of taking the most wickets in a Test series played between India and England is in the name of Bhagwath Chandrasekhar. Chandrasekhar played five Tests for India in the 1972-73 series and picked up 35 wickets in nine innings. Location : Leeds First Published: June 19, 2025, 21:28 IST News cricket James Anderson To Jasprit Bumrah: Most Wickets In India-England Tests
