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What Went Wrong For England In India?

After winning the First Test of the series in Chennai, it looked as though England could be on course for a famous series success. However, things soon turned around as the hosts dominated the remaining three Test matches. England will now be dissecting why they were second best for large parts of the series. Here is a look at why the visitors struggled against the new number one ranked team in the world.

Batting Line-Up Failed to Handle Conditions

Only once during the four-match series did England score more than 250 runs in an innings. That was in the First Test where they hit 578 to put themselves on the front foot in the match.

England’s batting line-up really struggled with conditions in the series. It is never easy in the sub-continent. However, Rishabh Pant, India’s hero at the Gabba earlier this year,  proved in the Fourth Test that you could still score runs on testing wickets.

Some of the Test squad will be representing England at the T20 World Cup in India later this year. England are second best in the cricket betting at 7/2. Although the format will be very different, conditions will still be tough, so will need to analyse where they can improve. Otherwise, they could struggle once again in the upcoming tournament.

England’s batting line-up really struggled with conditions in the series. It is never easy in the sub-continent. However, Rishabh Pant, India’s hero at the Gabba earlier this year,  proved in the Fourth Test that you could still score runs on testing wickets.

Some of the Test squad will be representing England at the T20 World Cup in India later this year. England are second best in the cricket betting at 7/2. Although the format will be very different, conditions will still be tough, so will need to analyse where they can improve. Otherwise, they could struggle once again in the upcoming tournament.

Too Many Changes

It was surprising how many changes England made throughout the series. After winning the First Test, they made four changes to their line-up for the Second Test which was played at the same ground. So many changes made it very difficult for the team to settle. Their opponents, on the other hand, were pretty set on their XI, apart from a few exceptions through injury and players who needed some time to rest.

England needs to look forward now and have a strong think about what their best XI is and the balance required for them to start moving up the Test rankings. Once they are clear on that, they have to stick with it even if results go against them.

More Spinners Were Needed


Just like he was in England’s tour of Sri Lanka in 2018/19, Jack Leach was his country’s top bowler in the series in India with 18 wickets. Even so, he should have been supported by another full-time spinner. Captain Joe Root played his part with six wickets, but the batsman is a part-time bowler who has never been seen as an all-rounder.

Compare this to India, which had Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel operating for large parts of the series. It’s no surprise that England struggled against the incredible 59 wickets collected between the dynamic duo.

Meanwhile, England have relied so often on James Anderson and Stuart Broad to get the wickets to win Test matches that they are perhaps burnt-out as the two players had just eight wickets between them. In addition, the conditions just do not favour seam bowlers.
When it comes to spinners, England don’t have a large pool of players to choose from, either. They don’t quite have the same impact on wickets at home. Next time they are in India though, they must go with two spinners, even if it means giving a young player a chance to shine.

England’s next Test assignment comes against New Zealand. They take on the Kiwis in two Tests, with the first of those beginning on the 2nd June. It will certainly be interesting to see what, if any, changes the team implements and to what degree of success.