The actual X-factor, nevertheless, got here within the form of Ollie Pope’s masterclass after this. There was clearly a way within the insanity in the way in which the middle-order batter resorted to brush and reverse sweep to neutralise the Ravi Ashwin-Ravindra Jadeja duo, which has gained India numerous matches.
When the England camp determined to assemble in Abu Dhabi for a 10-day preparatory camp, away from the prying eyes of Indian media, many questioned the knowledge behind the transfer, however England will need to have honed their expertise on this mode of counterattack.
That is what participant of the match Pope needed to say later: ‘’If we are able to play reverse sweeps to their greatest balls, that may result in extra quick balls and half-volleys to attain off.’’ Definitely some extent to ponder, however what additionally helped England was the dearth of a wrist spinner within the Indian taking part in XI, regardless of in-form Chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav, who’s able to turning the ball each methods. Nonetheless, India will now must rejig their technique with a double harm blow as Jadeja and senior professional Okay.L. Rahul have each been dominated out of the second Check with niggles.
Whereas Jadeja sustained a hamstring harm, Rahul complained of ache in the proper quadriceps, so the selectors have added Sarfaraz Khan, a prolific scorer on the home scene for the previous few seasons, left-arm spinner Sourabh Kumar, and Washington Sundar.
