Published: Feb 02, 2024, 10:43 AM (IST)
Edited: Feb 02, 2024, 10:43 AM (IST)
The second Test between India and England is slated to begin on Friday, February 2, in Visakhapatnam. The visitors led 1-0 following their amazing comeback triumph in Hyderabad in the first Test.
On the back of Ollie Pope’s magnificent 196 in the second innings, England overcame a 190-run deficit and set India a daunting goal of 231 runs. The hosts were defeated by 28 runs, giving England a reassuring lead in the five-match series.
Former England captain Alastair Cook praised the quality in the England team, claiming that four to five players can emulate Pope’s hit.
“Actually, the guys who haven’t played much out there saw them as very good cricketers, but normal cricketers who can be beaten. Yes, it took an incredible innings from someone to do it, but this England side and the talent they have in that batting line-up, it could be one of four or five who could play an innings like that,” Cook, who is working as a pundit with TNT Sports, said about England’s performance in Hyderabad during an analysis show.
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The renowned opener also discussed his playing days, claiming that it is extremely tough to recover after losing the first Test in a series. He feels that the victory in Hyderabad would have given the English players a boost of confidence.
“The tours I went on, when we got behind it’s very hard to change it. And I think this will just see those England players looking at each other saying ‘Actually we can compete against these’,” said Cook.
Cook praised the excellence of Indian cricketers, but also stated that the hype around them, particularly owing to the Indian Premier League (IPL), might influence their thinking and, as a result, their performance.
“India have some of the greats of the game in their team, but because of that status and the financial pull of the IPL, you can see them as demi-gods and they’re obviously treated like demi-gods. Subconsciously, that can sometimes play with your mind.” Cook added.
Cook stated that India was taken aback in the first Test, as England managed to mount a great comeback despite squandering a massive first-innings advantage. The southpaw stated that India is not used to lose in these situations, especially at home.
“They did look a little bit all at sea. I think it shook them,” he said. “When you’re 190 runs ahead [on first innings] and they’re so used to winning games – they’ve only lost three Test matches out of 40-odd at home – suddenly [India thought], ‘oh god, oh this won’t happen for much longer,” Cook added.
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