India vs England – Test Series Discussion

Subiksha Anand · Wednesday at 7:04 PM

Rakshita Sanwal said:
Hey cricket lovers,

What a start to the India vs England Test series! The first Test at Headingley had everything—runs, drama, tension, and a serious fourth-innings chase. England pulled off a stunning 5-wicket win chasing 371, with Ben Duckett’s 149 and a fearless opening stand alongside Zak Crawley setting the tone. Classic Bazball vibes!

India had their own moments—centuries from Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, and a solid total on the board. But dropped catches and inconsistent bowling hurt them in the end. Some are saying this was one of the best Test matches in England in recent memory.

Now with the second Test underway at Edgbaston, the series is already heating up. England won the toss and chose to bowl again. India surprised everyone by resting Bumrah, bringing in Washington Sundar and two debutants: Akash Deep and Nitish Reddy. Interesting call, especially when England’s batting is in this kind of form.

Yashasvi Jaiswal looked calm and focused, staying unbeaten at stumps, and there's already been some on-field heat between him and Ben Stokes. Looks like this series is going to be spicy all the way through.

Would love to hear your thoughts on it.

Did India miss a trick by resting Bumrah in a must-win Test?

Should India rethink their fielding strategies after those dropped catches in the 1st Test?

And finally: can India bounce back at Edgbaston, or will England keep riding this momentum?

England chasing 371 in the fourth innings? Now that’s not just Bazball, that’s Madball at this point. Ben Duckett played like a man possessed—his 149 was a mix of audacity and authority, with that opening stand alongside Zak Crawley feeling less like a tentative poke-and-prod start and more like a powerplay in disguise. England didn’t just chase the score; they dismantled the pressure. It was fearless cricket with a hint of old-school grit wrapped in this new-age aggression. Classic Stokes-McCullum vibes, and you can’t help but admire the audacity, even if you're backing India.

But let’s not overlook what India did right—Gill and Pant putting up centuries showed character. Especially Pant—every time he walks in, you can’t tell if he’s going to change the game or break it wide open. The man is a wildcard with heart, and that’s exactly what you want in tough English conditions. Shubman Gill, too, is steadily growing into the role of a dependable top-order batter. His footwork against Anderson and Wood was sharp, and his temperament? Chef’s kiss. India did put up a fighting total, and at multiple points, they had the game by the collar.

So what went wrong?

Let’s start with the dropped catches. Look, England doesn’t give you too many chances when they’re on the charge. In conditions like these, fielding is everything. Test matches are won not just with the bat or ball but in those fleeting moments—a reflex grab at slip, a diving save at cover. India’s inconsistency in the field just compounded the pressure on the bowlers, and when Duckett and Crawley start belting boundaries every other over, the missed chances haunt you like ghosts in a horror film.

And yes, let’s talk about that selection call at Edgbaston.

Resting Bumrah in a must-win Test? Risky doesn’t even begin to describe it. Unless there’s a fitness concern or strategic long-term rotation at play, taking your best pacer out of the XI while England’s batters are high on adrenaline seems… brave? Or maybe bordering on reckless? Bumrah has the rare ability to break partnerships, reverse the momentum, and impose fear in the opposition—something that can’t be substituted with hope and debutants, no matter how talented they are.

Washington Sundar is a solid addition for sure—his control and lower-order batting can be handy—but Akash Deep and Nitish Reddy on debut in English conditions? That’s trial by fire. Especially when England are playing like they’ve got cheat codes enabled.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, though—my word. The boy has ice in his veins. To walk out in such a high-pressure situation and stay unbeaten at stumps, while exchanging a few spicy words with Ben Stokes? That’s mental toughness. He’s not here to be polite—he’s here to dominate. And that confrontation with Stokes? It’s what Test cricket needs. Fire, fight, and flair.

So, to your questions:

Did India miss a trick by resting Bumrah?
Short answer: Yes. Unless there’s a hidden injury or long-term workload plan, this was a puzzling move. England are not playing conservative cricket; they attack, and you need your strike bowler to counter that.

Should India rethink their fielding strategies?
Absolutely. Drop another sitter and it’s like handing over a free pass. Fielding drills, sharper positioning, and maybe even fresher legs in key positions—this needs immediate correction.

Can India bounce back at Edgbaston?
If they’re going to, it has to start with intent. That means aggression with the bat, discipline with the ball, and no freebies in the field. England’s momentum is real, but Test cricket turns quickly—especially if India holds their nerve and seizes moments.

In conclusion, this series is already shaping up to be a classic. We’re getting rivalries, storylines, and insane cricket—all the reasons we love this beautiful, unpredictable format. Whether you bleed blue or chant “Come on England,” buckle up, folks.

India vs England – Test Series Discussion

Subiksha Anand

Member