England vs India 2014: Back to square one

R Ashwin

Legend has it that former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, and off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, feigned injury ahead of a Test in Nagpur at the site of the pitch. The pitch, an green tinge of which had never been seen in the subcontinent before – or since - offered lateral movement and carry to assistance to the visiting Australian pace trio of Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Michael Kasprowicz than the spin heavy attack of the hosts. It proved a pivotal home ground disadvantage, as India went on to lose the Test, and with it their first home series loss to Australia in 34 years.

One must think that Alastair Cook, and the rest of the English squad, might be empathising with the Ganguly and Harbahajan of 2004. With the sort of pitches they have been served up this summer, and four more of the same predicted for the rest, its hard to see why they wouldn’t. Unlike the green tinge of the pitch in Nagpur 2004, England have been faced with placid tracks at home like that seen when they toured Nagpur in 2012. These slow, low, docile tracks have been more in favour of the touring Sri Lankan and Indian teams, which have at some times provided some rather dull Test cricket.

Prior to the beginning of the Pataudi Trophy, much was made about the conservative, overtly defensive leaders of both England and India. Cook has been at the helm of now nine winless Tests at a stretch, whereas MS Dhoni has not lead India to a Test victory outside the subcontinent in more than three years.

At the announcement of the line ups of the first Test, Dhoni tried to shed that tag with the inclusion of Stuart Binny, trying to send a message that India had learned from their last tour to England. It wasn’t long before Dhoni realised the conditions were not made for someone like Binny, having him only bowl 10 overs in the game. Cook however, went about losing the conservative tag differently. Cook consistently changed the field, employing different tactics to different Indian batsmen, which paid off after lunch on Day 1 and then again the first hour of Day 5, however the docile nature of the pitch allowed for the tail, even his own, get stuck into the bowling side.

With the negatives of the nature of the pitch put aside, both captains have taken many positives out of the game that lacked intensity. Cook can take solace in the fact that his bowling attack can trouble the Indian batting line up with conventional and reverse swing when atmospheric conditions come into play. Dhoni can look at be happy with the form of Vijay, and the tail finally putting on some meaningful contributions.

With pitch conditions looking to be more of the same for the rest of the series, the advantage can lie with India with clever selections, and more importantly execution of plans. While Stuart Binny’s admirable performance with the bat in the 2nd innings at Trent Bridge may have saved the game for India, one feels that the mystery of Ravi Ashwin may be needed by India, especially when looking to finish off the English tail.

Dhoni may be more inclined to throw the ball to Ashwin more than the 10 overs he gave Binny. With no disrespect to the innings Binny played to bat India out of trouble, Ashwin has proven over the last few years to be able to contribute to the teams cause with the bat averaging just a shade under 40, that doubled with Bhuvenshwar Kumar’s twin half centuries may alleviate concerns about India’s batting depth.

Cook must look at rectifying his own form, especially when conditions are not offering a great deal to the bowlers, pace or spin. Cook must also look at employing the use of Simon Kerrigan, as Moeen Ali did not look to threaten India too much, especially as Anderson and Broad looked to tire in the 1st innings at Trent Bridge.

Heading to Lord’s for the second Test, both teams will look seize the key moments that they let go of in Trent Bridge, which happened to be the 10th wicket partnership in both cases. The key for India will be whether Dhoni and Indian management will be brave enough to pick their best XI which must include Ashwin at the expense of Binny. For England, if another lifeless pitch is served up, Alastair Cook needs to know that Sourav Ganguly is only a phone call away…