India vs England 2016: Virat Kohli and company are on a roll

What a year 2016 has been for the Indian cricket team in Test matches under the captaincy of Virat Kohli.

With the team not losing a single Test this year, it’s truly a great and proud moment for everyone. According to me, Test cricket is the true form of the sport and doing well in this format is a great feeling for any cricketer.

With India 2-0 up in the series, credit goes to the entire team. That said, the captain and the coach deserve an additional pat on their backs. Their strategy and understanding has been an important factor for the on-field performance. The right combinations in addition to the atmosphere in the dressing room has visibly played a vital role in the overall performance.

Extra Cover: Each member of the Indian XI at Wankhede has a first-class century

Another noticeable fact is that the current Indian team is the fittest amongst all the teams that I have seen and played with since the 1980s. Virat Kohli stands as an ideal example of physical fitness and thus, serves as a role model for the entire team.

This ‘new-generation’ team is aware of the importance of physical fitness for delivering their fullest potential on the ground. A few years back, we used to follow the Australian method of fitness but now the tables have turned. Every cricketer around the globe wants to know the ‘secret’ behind the fitness of our players, especially Virat Kohli.

For any youngster to make it to the Indian team, it is now very important that he matches up to the fitness standards established by the current team. The message seems to have been conveyed loud and clear to all the prospective newcomers.

The Indian bowlers have wreaked havoc

The current series has been a disaster for the visiting side so far. According to me, this disaster can be attributed to their bowling department. Twenty wickets are important to win a Test match and hence, one needs a good bowling unit in the team.

The best part of this Indian cricket team is its quick bowlers. Initial wickets and regular breakthroughs are always vital. Also, reverse swing with the old bowl is an exceptional art and this has been executed perfectly by the Shami-Yadav duo. Both the bowlers are bowling consistently at a pace between 140-145 km/h, which under these given conditions is truly commendable.

The pitches provided in this series so far have been good Test match wickets. As a former bowler, it’s a proud moment for me when bowlers are winning the match for you and more so when the fast bowler plays a major role. Mohammed Shami’s stump-breaking dismissal of Alastair Cook is one moment that won’t be forgotten in a hurry.

In Indian conditions, the spinners play a major role – especially a bowler like Ashwin who proves to be an asset for the team and always performs up to the expectations associated with him.

Jayant Yadav has contributed superbly with bat and ball

However, the find of the series has been Jayant Yadav. The youngster has already displayed signs of maturity and seems like a good all-rounder in the making. And it’s visible that he is drawing inspiration from bowlers like Ashwin.

The other spinner, Ravindra Jadeja, is a captain’s delight. He keeps things tight at one end for his skipper and at the same time, takes regular wickets.

Batting has been a mixed-bag

The Indian team, known for it’s batting potential, may not have delivered as per expectations with the bat. The openers are a great source of worry for the team and constant injuries have only complicated matters. The openers always lay a platform for the middle order but so far, the openers have really struggled to do so except for the Test match at Mohali where Parthiv Patel emerged good.

I am very happy for the wicket-keeper-batsman for turning in a good performance. Doing well when making a come-back is always difficult, let alone when the period in the wilderness has been as long as eight years. That said, Parthiv Patel was excellent.

Another concern for the Indian team is Ajinkya Rahane, who is going through a lean patch. And the injury to his index-finger (ruling him out for the series) could not have come at a worse time for the team and for himself personally.

Extra cover: Bhuvneshwar Kumar hits umpire Paul Reiffel on the back of his head with a throw

This means that there is now additional responsibility on the shoulders of Virat Kohli and Pujara in the middle order. However, Virat is going through the best ‘purple patch’ of his life. The Indian lower-order is doing a great job with the bat as well – especially Ashwin, Jadeja and Jayant Yadav.

England’s unusual approach to the Mumbai Test

Durham’s Keaton Jennings scored a century on debut

The England side has been struggling with both bat and ball. Barring the first Test, where the tourists fought well, they appear a rather ‘ordinary’ side. I was rather surprised to find that after losing the Test match at Mohali the team management decided to leave India and travel to Dubai for a few days away from cricket.

Instead, they should have been hitting the nets while attempting to adapt to these conditions and working hard in order to correct the mistakes made in the previous matches. It is the first time that I’ve heard of a preparation approach of this variety.

But looking at the manner in which England batted on day one of the Mumbai Test, the break seems to have helped. Keaton Jennings was a revelation on debut and the top-order looked assured in the manner they dealt with the Ashwin and company, who threatened to run riot in the post-tea session.

Mumbai is always a happy hunting ground for England where they have performed well on the earlier tours. The Wankhede wicket offers bounce for the bowlers which may prove to be helpful for both the fast bowlers as well as for the spinners.

Virat and company, however, are well aware of the opposition’s capabilities and their aim should be to win the series.

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