India couldn’t have asked for a better start to the series. England’s bowling is decimated by injuries and this is the time for India’s young batsmen to take charge. If they don’t attack now, they might miss the bus.
Mark Wood and Gus Atkinson are out. Both would have been automatic picks for their pace and control.
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Without them, England’s bowling looks thin. Chris Woakes is back and will add experience but he can’t do it alone.
England’s likely XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Ben Stokes (c), Chris Woakes, Sam Cook, Brydon Carse, Shoaib Bashir.
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The batting is solid. Ollie Pope will bat at No. 3 ahead of Jacob Bethell due to recent form. But the bowling is full of new faces—Carse, Cook and Bashir have limited Test experience.
This is the time for Indian batsmen like Jaiswal, Gill and others to dominate. England’s attack has no bite and letting them settle would be a mistake. A good start can set the tone for the whole series.
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England are wounded. That’s when they’re most dangerous—but also most vulnerable. India can’t play cautious cricket here. One good batting performance can swing the game early.
England’s injuries are India’s advantage. The hosts must attack, score big and take control of the series from Day 1. If not now, then when?
