Ian Chappell believes that Ben Stokes’ England team will provide a tough competition for India in the remaining three Tests of the series, acknowledging their aggressive style of play.
India has three remaining Test matches against England, and with the series currently tied at 1-1 after two matches, Ian Chappell anticipates a strong challenge from England.
Following a brief break after the Vizag game, India will resume the series with the final three matches. The Indian team, having won the last Test and leveled the series, prepares for the third game in Rajkot.
Notably, both teams have had to make changes to their squads, with Shreyas Iyer omitted for India, and England’s experienced spinner Jack Leach ruled out due to a calf injury.
Ian Chappell believes that Ben Stokes’ England will provide stiff competition for India
Ian Chappell, the ex-Australian cricketer, believes England will pose a strong challenge for India in the final three matches. Writing in his ESPNcricinfo column, Chappell expressed that although India holds the upper hand with home advantage, they will face a tough battle to secure victory in the Test series.
“As the home side India should eventually win a tough series, but it has a real battle on their hands. England under the aggressive leadership of Stokes are a far cry from the poorly captained Joe Root team that capitulated against spin on their last tour of the country.”
“This India versus England contest is shaping up as it should: a tough five-match encounter between two talented sides,” Chappell wrote in his column.
The ex-cricketer praised Ben Stokes for his remarkable impact on transforming the England team, emphasizing that the visitors possess the strategic skills to unsettle their opponents.
“Much of England’s success has been attributed to Bazball – the desire to score quickly and tactically rattle the opposition – but this is a misnomer. What Stokes has really done is set out to achieve victory from ball one by playing aggressive cricket in all aspects of the game.”
“Stokes has been extremely smart to adopt such an approach and his aggressive tactics have brought England great success in the win column,” wrote Chappell.
England, led by Stokes, won the first Test in Hyderabad against India but faced a defeat in Vizag, even with India missing two key players. The England captain aims to stage a comeback against Rohit Sharma’s team in Rajkot as the third Test match of the series kicks off on February 10.
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