If anyone can save England from here, it is none other than captain Joe Root himself who has 386 runs in 2 test matches so far. The third test match of the 5-match test series will start on 25th August at Leeds with momentum and advantage towards the visitors. The result of the series so far is something like this: the first test match of the series could not reach any result due to uneven rain throughout the match. Whereas in the second test match, rain did disturb to some extent, but on the fifth day, India’s match winning bowling performances gave them a 151-run victory and 1-0 lead too. Joe Root form in the 2021 is the good sign for England,
Joe Root has proved to be a bit more dangerous in 2021 due to the best batting form of his career which includes some amazing innings of his stand out abilities to back his case.
Matches | Innings | Runs | Average | 50s | 100s | Hs |
10 | 20 | 1277 | 67.21 | 1 | 5 | 228 |
Apart from Joe Root, no other England batsman has been able to provide any evidence of his presence so far or if he will be in Test cricket for England after the retirement of Alastair Cook. If England can make a comeback in the remaining three Test matches, then Joe Root is going to play an important role in it as another defeat will put England one step closer to losing the series against visitors.
While Joe Root’s excellent form is a good sign for England, the poor form of Indian captain Virat Kohli and batsmen like all-rounder Jadeja, who have not been able to do much so far, can pave the way for England’s return to the series. In series. If once again India will not give a chance to Ashwin in the third test match, then England has a great chance to beat India.
India’s record at Headingley
India had earlier defeated England at Headingley in 2002 when India declared their innings at 628 in the first innings due to brilliant centuries by Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly. Where England could not score more than 310 runs in any innings of the match and lost the match 46 runs and innings.
A lot will change in the playing XI of team India if Ashwin gets a place in the third Test. While talking to Cricbuzz, former England captain Michael Vaughan took a dig at Ashwin, "It looks like it's a very good week, it's going to be very dry, nice and sunny so I'd be amazed if Ashwin doesn't play this week. I think they will go with three pacers and two spinners, and I think that will be the right call at Headingley, it also packs the batting. Play your three out and out, outstanding quick bowlers. Maybe Ishant Sharma would miss out even though he bowled a nice spell on the last day at Lord's."
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