England leave India after losing second Test. What is Ben Stokes and Co's plan?

The England cricket team, currently on tour in India, is set to retreat to their pre-series training base in Abu Dhabi for a crucial 10-day break. This respite, aimed at rejuvenating the players, will also offer them an opportunity to engage in a round of golf before the impending third Test in Rajkot, scheduled to commence on February 10. Following the conclusion of the second Test in Hyderabad, which ended a day early with India staging a remarkable comeback to level the series at 1-1, the touring side decided on the Abu Dhabi break to fine-tune their strategies and recharge for the upcoming challenges. The third Test in Rajkot is scheduled to commence on February 15.

In preparation for the highly anticipated 5-Test series against India, England opted for an extensive conditioning camp in Abu Dhabi instead of traditional early arrival in the subcontinent for practice matches. During this pre-series camp, the team dedicated considerable time to devising effective strategies to combat the Indian spinners. England had won the first Test in Hyderabad by 28 runs.

Looking ahead to the third Test in Rajkot, Indian coach Rahul Dravid anticipates an escalation in the intensity of the rivalry between the two teams. Under the leadership of captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon 'Baz' McCullum, England has played bold and entertaining cricket, endearing themselves to fans. This approach, known as 'Bazball,' faces its sternest challenge against India, a team that has not lost a Test series on home soil since 2012.


While England emerged victorious in the series opener, their batters struggled against Jasprit Bumrah's exceptional reverse swing bowling in the first innings of the second Test. Chasing a record 399-run chase, England succumbed to India's disciplined bowling in their second innings. Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin played pivotal roles in India's 106-run victory, sharing six wickets in the second innings. Bumrah, named the man of the match, concluded with a total of nine wickets for 91 runs.

Rahul Dravid on pitches

India's head coach, Rahul Dravid, emphasized that the team management does not request turning pitches for home matches, acknowledging the unpredictability of pitch behavior over a five-day Test. In the ongoing series against England, the first two Tests lasted four days each, with Hyderabad featuring a slow turner and Vizag showcasing a predominantly flat surface. Dravid, responding to queries about the possibility of more pitches like Vizag in the upcoming Tests, expressed uncertainty, asserting that curators determine pitch conditions.

Rahul Dravid praises England's Bazball approach

Praising England's aggressive batting approach, known as Bazball, Dravid acknowledged the skills and ability demonstrated by the English players. He commended their adaptability, recognizing that their approach goes beyond mere attacking cricket, as they know when to pull back and when to attack. Dravid said that India is pleased to have bounced back but is fully aware of the tough cricket that lies ahead in the remaining three games. (With Agency Inputs)