It will be ‘Testing’ and challenging for India in England

The Indian cricket team’s preparations for an arduous Test tour to England have begin amidst a lot of uncertainty and negativity. Uncertainty, since the side is minus the rich experience of three stalwarts – Rohit Shama, Virat Kohli and R.Ashwin – all retiring within five months of 2025. On Thursday, coach Gautam Gambhir had put out an interview on bcci.tv where he had spoken of how “players have to step up.” All this rhetoric is good to hear, what with a new captain in command and so many doubts on what will be the composition of the side. Gambhir, himself, has returned to India for four or five days as his mother suffered a heart attack.

Who will handle the team as coach in his absence, nobody really is aware. As of now, the Indian team is busy playing a practice match in Beckenham, England. On Friday, players turned up with black bands, a sign of respect to almost 230 plus killed in a tragic Air India Dreamliner crash near the Ahmedabad airport on Thursday afternoon.

In such scenarios, it is very disturbing for players to focus just on sport. Anything which can disturb a player’s mind is but natural, since the tragedy which happened in Ahmedabad was catastrophic. Players fly in and out of cities and countries, hardly imagining that flying can be dangerous. Yet, when a calamity occurs and takes away lives of so many innocents, from India and overseas, it is sad.

One can only wish the Indian team good luck, as the first Test against England is a week away. In the bcci.tv interview, Gambhir spoke of players having to step up and perform. All this is nice to hear but who all will be performing is the big question which begs an answer. New skipper Shubman Gill is aware, even though the England bowling unit has been hit by injury problems, he has to fire. Gill’s elevation has been received with much fanfare, but if he does not perform in the first two Tests, the pressure is bound to increase.

Going by news reports from nets and practice sessions, KL Rahul, expected to open, is in good form. The real deal will be when the England bowlers hurl the Duke red cherry at home. On an average, the Indian cricket fans are extremely passionate and intense. They think doing well in the Indian Premier League means the boys will do well in a Test tour. No, it is not that easy. Cricket’s premier red ball competition is testing in England, where conditions are vastly different. In ages, India have not won a Test series in England. Even to draw the series will be a big deal.

For those who think the Young Turks like Gill, Sai Sudharsan and company will deliver and Nitish Reddy will bat and bowl as well,  it’s good to feel positive. But who are the bowlers who will be able to deliver just like speedster Jasprit Bumrah remains to be seen. Since his injury in the last Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy Series in Australia, Bumrah was out on a long break. He came back into the IPL for Mumbai Indians with trepidation. As per current reports and quotes from coach Morne Morkel, Bumrah is in good shape.

But here is a catch, Bumrah will not be playing five Tests. The workload management thing has now become a reality for him. Perhaps, he will not play more than three Tests, that, too, not in a row. For someone who was over-bowled in the BGT series and took 32 wickets, he collapsed in Sydney. Nothing like that will be allowed now as Bumrah has communicated he will play three Tests, maximum. Unless, of course, one witnesses early end to each Test!

The inclusion of Arshdeep Singh as a left arm paceman adds variety. How effective he will be cannot be predicted now, since his main role for India till now has been in white ball cricket. Arshdeep was outstanding for India in the ICC T20 World Cup last year in the West Indies. He also did well for Punjab Kings in the IPL. This is a great opportunity for Arshdeep to step up and deliver in England. Here is hoping the somber mood lifts ahead of the first Test.