Graeme Smith, a former captain of South Africa, expressed doubts about England’s ability to recover after India took a 2-1 lead in the five-match Test series between the two countries. As the series goes on, Smith warns England about possible weariness while appreciating their daring attitude in Indian conditions.
First England won by 28 runs in Hyderabad, but then they lost two games in a row at Vizag and Rajkot. India’s 434-run victory in the Rajkot Test, which they won with such dominance, was their biggest-ever Test victory by run differential. The way that England struggled, particularly when they were bowled out for just 122 runs in the fourth inning, indicated that the visiting side would face formidable obstacles.
“There’s always been a lot of skill, but they appear to have removed the anxiety, given people a sense of stability, and given people a really positive outlook on the game. In putting pressure on the opposition and forcing them to think, England is undoubtedly remaining loyal to their style of play in India,” Smith wrote in a post for Betway Insider.
It’s an arduous tour, and playing against India as much as you must, coupled with long days in the field and intense heat, may exhaust you in the latter stages of a series. It’s critical to maintain your mental clarity, optimism, and strategy. Since India will be extremely difficult to catch up to if they get ahead, England must persevere for as long as possible. They have done that successfully thus far, he continued.
“Being able to win away from home is the differentiator.” Graeme Smith
Former South African opener Graeme Smith emphasized the significance of winning away series to assess a team’s strength. He brought attention to the inherent difficulties that come with playing abroad. Additionally, he brought up the fact that in their heyday, teams like Australia and the West Indies performed admirably both at home and in a variety of environments. In order to maintain their status as serious competitors, he emphasized that contemporary teams must duplicate such performances outside of their home arenas.
“The difference between a good squad and a great team is their ability to win away from home. Traveling into another team’s home territory for several months at a time, with their fans, media, and playing conditions, and demonstrating that you have the players and team to compete and succeed there for a prolonged length of time is the toughest challenge there is. The great West Indies side of the 1970s and 1980s, as well as the great Australia side of the 1990s and 2000s, demonstrated this; they truly ruled the globe,” he said.
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