Follow UsThe Anderson-Tendulkar Test series has reached an interesting juncture with England leading the five-match series 2-1. We have seen the first three matches showcasing the epitome of Test cricket with all three games going to the very final session of the Test. But while the hosts might have a 2-1 lead, the interesting part is that India have managed to dominate almost 13 of the 15 days of the series so far.
There have been numerous observations worthy of highlighting, and it will be fascinating to see if these trends will continue in the remaining two Tests in Manchester and London.
Rishabh Pant and Jamie Smith, the wicketkeepers of their respective teams, have not just kept wickets but have been among the most successful batters for their teams, scoring a fifty in all the three Tests. Together, both these keeper-batters have hit seven 50+ scores combined, totaling the runs tally to 840. This is a big record as no other keeper-batter pair have scored as many runs as these two in a Test series. And we still have two Tests to go.
Rishabh Pant: 6 inns, 425 runs, 70.83 average, 2 fifties, 2 centuries
Jamie Smith: 6 inns, 415 runs, 103.75 average, 2 fifties, 1 century
The batting display showcased by both India and England has been spectacular as they have scored free flowing runs at an excellent run rate. The reason behind the run rate being high is boundaries being smashed at regular intervals. In just three games, a total of 58 sixes have been hammered, which happens to be the second-most in a Test series ever. With two more Tests to go, we can expect the previous record of 74 sixes in The 2023 Ashes getting demolished.
The new ball numbers of India and England have been super contrasting. Apart from the second innings in Leeds, India's opening bowlers have been successful in dismissing the England batters in quick succession, resulting in them almost taking twice the number of wickets of the hosts. When it comes to new ball impact, it's been a no-contest as England have largely struggled.
The opening batters have been fantastic for India, as at least one of KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal have delivered in all three games. Jaiswal scored well in first two Tests, while KL Rahul scored hundreds at both Edgbaston and Lord's.
The England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett on the contrary did well only in Leeds and failed badly at both Edgbaston and Lord's. This has resulted in Indian openers averaging 50+ compared to England, who have averaged just 33.3. And this, in a way, has added to England's batting woes in the series.
Even if the top-order has struggled for England, the lower-order has tried to make up for it as for the last three wickets, the hosts have scored nearly 300 runs with two 50+ partnerships. India on the other suffered big collapses in Leeds and Lord's, resulting in them managing just 160 runs in total. The lower-order contribution proved decisive in both Lord's and Leeds.
Fielding has been a big topic of discussion as both India and England have not been able to live up to expectations. England have been decent compared to India in taking catches as they've maintained a catching efficiency of 78.3%.
India, on the other hand, have come under fire as there have been multiple instances of the tourists dropping sitters, with Jaiswal being the culprit on many occasions. If India intend to make a comeback, they must improve their catching game massively in the remaining two Tests.