On the Rise and The Risen

Dust from the victory lap hasn’t quite settled from India-Australia series and in a blink of eyes a new series against England in a different landscape. Treat to test cricket lovers especially Team India fans as the stakes are very high due to their latest success.

Root has picked up the mic (did he drop it before?) and performed an excellent gig with his bat against SriLanka. Leading from front and peaking at the right time. It is no small feat to score two centuries back to back. Root happily toots all the way. Anderson and Broad did breeze through being consistent on demand. The rhythm of English spinners was so good at SriLanka complimenting Root’s gig and the band are all set to cross the ocean to India.

Team India’s players received a war soldier welcome on their latest success. Listening to their tale on the social media is heartening and immersive watch. I would personally rate this series win over a World Cup triumph and so many others think the same way.

Team India manager on a contrary from earlier tour have a plethora to select as many players are recovering from injuries. I am sure if needed, Natarajan can take the horse (not long ago he had a chariot ride) and ride like a Raja to join the team at Chennai. Virat raring to come back after a new cute supporter on his side. His fifties and centuries will from now on carry more emotions to showcase and share with his daughter after she grows up.

ECB have rested the best players of spin for two tests as part of the channelising energy strategy. Time will tell whether it is a good move or not.

Shastri probably must be having dreams of spin variation vision with lots of red balls and white ball graphics as delivered by ALL spinners at once. Must be in dilemma to select the right set of spinners.

The Risen (England) and on the Rise (India) of test cricket are ready to lock horns in the background of tradition rich Chennai. They play behind doors but I am sure there will be some fans around stadium with doors in front following with their ooohs and aaaahs.

We all can sit back relax and digest every session as a ODI match if you like and there will be moments we would certainly hold heart in our hands. Both the teams are keen to secure their place for the ICC world test cricket championship finals at Lords (God save us from COVID). An open ticket to engrave the finalists.

Bring it on BCCI and ECB.