AAKASH CHOPRA OPRA

The series was touted as a heavyweight clash between two equally matched sides and while the opening two games presented a slightly different story, the narrative seems to have changed radically after the third Test. Indian batting stood up at Nottingham and the result went the visitors’ way. India had issues to address but the same was true for England. Let’s do a comparative analysis to assess where the two teams stand.

OPENERS

There’s very little to choose between the two sides. India have tried three different opening pairs in three Tests and while England have stuck with the same pair, the numbers produced by them aren’t painting a rosy picture. Alastair Cook is going through one of the worst phases of his illustrious career and Keaton Jennings is fighting hard for survival at the top level. Both have looked unconvincing. India’s latest opening pair of Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul has ignited hope of solving the opening riddle but it’s still far from a perfect solution. Dhawan has fought hard and Rahul has shown glimpses of his potential but both are yet to score individual fifties.

MIDDLE ORDER

In the first two Tests, India’s middle order meant Virat Kohli, for batsmen on either side of him weren’t contributing significantly. Joe Root at three for England, despite the failures in the last two Tests, will pip India’s Cheteshwar Pujara to the post. Similarly, Olie Pope is no contest

IF YOU WERE TO LOOK AT HOW THE TWO ATTACKS FARED IN NOTTINGHAM, YOU’LL BE FORCED TO PUT THE INDIAN PACE QUARTET AHEAD