Leonard Ratnayake reporting from England
It’s summer in good old Blighty. The pubs are bustling with cricket fans of Indian origin, animatedly discussing the pros and cons of India’s touring Test squad—and more specifically, whether this side has the batting quality needed to face England this season.
In the past decade, India sent to England batting greats such as Mohammad Azharuddin, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, and, more recently, Virat Kohli and, to a significant extent, Cheteshwar Pujara. One burning question among fans is: Why isn’t Shreyas Iyer on this tour?
Are Indian fans feeling nervous and tentative about this touring squad? The answer seems to be yes, more so than what the initial poll numbers suggested before the squad was finalised.
Turning the clock back to 2021, India managed to draw the five-match Test series 2-2 under Virat Kohli’s leadership, despite injuries and COVID-related setbacks affecting several key players.
The absence of stalwarts like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Ajinkya Rahane is seismic. This isn’t just a transition phase — it’s a void that has opened up in India’s red-ball DNA.
While Shubman Gill and KL Rahul have the pedigree, their red-ball consistency, particularly in swinging English conditions, is under scrutiny. Rahul, as you rightly noted, had flashes of brilliance but also long patches of inconsistency. Gill’s temperament is classy, but can he grind out a gritty 100 on a cloudy morning at Lord’s? That’s what defines Test batting in England.
The omission of Shreyas Iyer is baffling to many. He may not have the classic technique for English conditions. Still, his ability to play pace and attack spin made him a valuable middle-order option, especially when the top order is still unsettled.
The 2021–22 tour, which started in August due to India’s IPL commitments, saw Rohit Sharma emerge as India’s third-highest run-scorer with 368 runs. Joe Root topped the chart with 737 runs, followed by Jonny Bairstow with 540.
Bumrah led India’s bowling attack with 23 wickets, while Ollie Robinson was the second-highest wicket-taker with 21 scalps.
Too Much White Ball, Not Enough Red Ball
A major concern for India this time is the wear-and-tear factor and fatigue. The squad is coming off a gruelling 74-match IPL season, which exacts not just a physical toll but also a significant mental one.
In addition, India’s touring team faces considerable internal travel within England, which can further impact performance.
You nailed the issue of mental and physical fatigue. The IPL juggernaut takes its toll. Switching straight from white-ball cricket to five-day Tests in seam-friendly conditions is no small task. India’s batters are coming in tuned to 140 kmph short-of-length deliveries they pull for six, not the nagging line-and-length stuff on a green top at Headingley that needs leaving for two hours straight.
The current squad appears more tuned to white-ball cricket than red-ball. While Shubman Gill is undeniably talented, questions remain about consistency. K.L. Rahul—who scored 149 at The Oval in the 5th Test of the 2018 series—managed only 160 runs across 9 innings in that series.
India will hope to rediscover the mental resilience and tactical clarity that served them well in 2021. But it’s worth noting that series was led by Kohli and had Rohit Sharma in the ranks.
Bazball vs Bumrah — Clash of Styles
The 2025 squad, however, will be without Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Pujara, and Ajinkya Rahane. But their bowling unit still includes Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar.
If Bumrah is fully fit and Siraj hits the right lengths early, they have the skill to break through England’s high-risk, high-reward style. Thakur brings unpredictability and handy lower-order runs. Jadeja and Sundar can play a holding role, but India might miss a genuine off-spinner like Ashwin in turning conditions, if dry spells hit during the summer.
However, Bazball thrives on demoralising bowling attacks. If India leaks early runs and lacks control in the middle overs, England can race away — even from 100/5.
The Indian team must re-learn how to bat time, leave the ball, and earn their runs. And they need to do this while fending off a rejuvenated England side with tailenders who can bat like openers.
India doesn’t lack talent. But Test cricket in England isn’t about talent alone — it’s about resilience. The summer of 2025 could define whether this next generation can carry forward the red-ball legacy or will be remembered as great white-ball cricketers on a red-ball tour.
We’ll leave you with a teaser:
Does India have the bowlers to withstand the relentless Bazball attack from England?
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