A blockbuster Test series between India and England starts in Hyderabad on Thursday (3pm AEDT) with all eyes on how Bazball will fare in its biggest challenge yet.
England has not lost a series under coach Brendon McCullum, but turning decks and hostile conditions make India big favourites on home soil once again.
The unpredictability of Bazball and its potential to inflict heavy blows raise the possibility of a stunning boilover over the next eight weeks.
Just as likely, however, is an implosion — which is what Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj suggested was more likely on the eve of the first Test.
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“If England play Bazball in Indian conditions, the match may get over within a day and a half, or two,” Siraj said.
“It’s not easy to hit every time here as the ball turns sometimes and straightens on other occasions.
“So, I think it’ll be difficult to see Bazball here.
“But if they play it, it’ll be good for us as the match may get over quickly.”
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India named their squad for the first two Tests and pace bowler Mohammed Shami missed out as he recovers from an ankle injury, while Virat Kohli is out due to personal reasons.
The second Test starts February 2 in Visakhapatnam, followed by the third beginning February 15 in Rajkot.
India has remained unbeaten in a Test series at home since 2012 when Alastair Cook’s touring England team beat them 2-1.
INDIA SQUAD(for first two Tests): Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), KS Bharat (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Avesh Khan
ENGLAND SQUAD: Ben Stokes (c), Rehan Ahmed, James Anderson, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Shoaib Bashir, Dan Lawrence, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ben Foakes, Tom Hartley, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Mark Wood
PITCH DETAILS FOR FIRST TEST
Two prominent figures in English cricket had conflicting views on the pitch for the first Test in Hyderabad.
Kevin Pietersen, who played 104 Tests for England, posted on X (Twitter): “I cannot for the life of me believe that Hyderabad won’t spin in day 1….!”
Strangely enough, England Test coach Brendon McCullum didn’t seem to agree with Pietersen’s stance on the pitch.
However, McCullum did concede the ball might take a little bit of time to start turning on the Hyderabad wicket.
“It looked good,” McCullum said.
“It looks like it’s going to spin.
“It may not turn right from the word go, but you’d think at some stage it will turn and I’m sure spin will be a huge factor throughout the series.”
WHEN IS IT (all times AEDT)
First Test: Thursday, January 25, 3pm – Hyderabad
Second Test: Friday, February 2, 3pm – Vizag
Third Test: Friday, February 15 – Rajkot
Fourth Test Saturday, February 23 – Ranchi
Fifth Test: Thursday, March 7 – Dharamsala
HOW TO WATCH
Cricket fans can catch all of the action from the upcoming Test series between England and India on Kayo Sports.
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WHAT’S THE IMPACT ON THE WORLD TEST CHAMPIONSHIP?
Prior to their five-Test series, India sits second on the World Test Championship ladder with 54.16 points while England are in seventh with just 15 points.
In the two-year window until the next World Test Championship in 2025, teams will earn 12 points for a win, four for a draw and six if they tie.
England will no doubt be aiming to move up the WTC ladder in 2024 and will view this year as a major opportunity to do so given they’ll play in 17 Tests across the year.
The five-Test series against India will be followed by a three-Test series against the West Indies in England in July.
England will then host Sri Lanka for three Test matches in August and September, before heading off to Pakistan for a three-Test series in October.
To round out the year, England will head to New Zealand for three Tests in December, meaning Brendon McCullum’s side will end up playing 17 Test matches all up in 2024.
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