In the aftermath of India’s commanding victory in the second Test against England, former England skipper Nasser Hussain sees the series poised for an intense battle, anticipating India to come back “even harder” in the upcoming matches. The stellar performances of Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored a remarkable 209, and Shubman Gill, with his third Test century, combined with a clinical bowling display, allowed India to secure a significant 106-run win, leveling the series at 1-1.
With three matches left, Hussain expects India to back themselves for series victory, especially with the potential return of key players like KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja. Hussain praises the pivotal role played by the “magical” Jasprit Bumrah, whose extraordinary bowling, including a 6/45 in the first innings, proved instrumental in India’s triumph.
“It is set up perfectly, with three Tests to play. I think it will be a tight series but England are going to have to expect India to come back even harder. India have missed quite a few key players so far,” Hussain stated as quoted from Sky Sports.
“Mohammad Shami, I think, is out for the series, Ravi Jadeja could well be out for another Test match and Virat Kohli has been out of the first two. We are talking about some serious cricketers there. Kohli may well come back in, KL Rahul also, so I would expect a stronger Indian side in those last three games of the series. England will know that they’re going to have to up their game,” Hussain attached.
Jasprit Bumrah’s outstanding performance continued in the second innings, where he claimed three crucial wickets, compelling England to a score of 292. Bumrah’s spell was a major factor in India’s ability to wrap up the match with a convincing win. As the series moves to Rajkot for the third Test on February 15, the cricketing world eagerly awaits the unfolding drama and heightened competition between India and England. The return of key players and the momentum gained from the second Test victory set the stage for an exciting battle between the two cricketing powerhouses.
“It was a fantastic Test match. Brilliant pitch and brilliant sides going hard at each other. One way or the other England fighting hard as they often do. They often give away a first-inning lead as they did in the first Test. But they fought back well with their performance yesterday. And I think it was really the magic of Jasprit Bumrah. He got 3 today, but that spell in the first innings – 6 for 40 odd, blew away England for 250 on a really good flat pitch. The magic of Bumrah and the ball to Ollie Pope, that spell he bowled was, in the end, the difference between the two sides,” Hussain stated.
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