London: Skipper Joe Root, who led England to a series-levelling win at the Headingley, expects an Indian backlash in the penultimate Test. He however, asserted they’re ready for all permutation and combinations. Joe Root said that also have plans ready for facing the ‘world class’ Ravichandran Ashwin at Oval.
“India are a world class team led by Virat (Kohli). From them I expect nothing less than a strong response. We’d be naive to think otherwise,” Root said during a virtual press-conference.
“That’s why I think it’s really important that we don’t get too comfortable. We shouldn’t think that we’ve achieved anything at this point. We have just got to perform at high standards and maintain the level we are playing,” the England skipper added.
India had trusted Ravindra Jadeja’s batting ability more than Ashwin. So the off-spinner had been ignored for the first three Tests. However, heading into the Oval Test from Thursday, the call for his inclusion has once again gained voice. Oval is also known to help the spinners more than the fast bowler.
“His (Ashwin’s) record speaks for itself, he’s a world class player. We’ve seen him score runs and take wickets against us. We know what he’s capable of in Test arena,” Root said. He was asked if he’s surprised that Ashwin did not play the first three Tests.
Ashwin is four wickets shy of joining Harbhajan Singh as the second best Indian spinner in Tests behind Anil Kumble. He, last month, took a six-wicket haul in a County Championship game for Surrey at the Oval. He was also India’s best bowler in the World Test Championship final against New Zealand in Southampton in June.
“We will certainly be making sure that we’re prepared for the challenges that he poses coming into this Test match. In fact we want to ready for any other combinations that they might throw at us,” Root pointed out.
“But, ultimately, you can get wrapped up and you can end up playing the player. So it’s really important that you just play the delivery and to the situation that you find yourself in. Whoever it is that we face up against this week, it’s about playing the ball that’s right in front of you and not to the reputation,” asserted Root.
Kohli is in the middle of a rare lean patch. Root credited his bowling group to keep him ‘quiet’. “A lot of credit has to go to our bowling group. First and foremost, Virat is world class, there is no doubt about that,” Root said.
“That’s why the credit has to go to our bowlers, to keep him as quiet is an extremely good effort from the bowling group. It’s something we have to continue to do if we want to win the series. For now, we have found ways to get him out. So we got to keep trying to find ways of building pressure and keep in him quiet. Hopefully that relentless pressure is something that we can contain moving forward,” added the England skipper.
After their embarrassing defeat at the Lord’s, England put up a ruthless display in the third Test to rout India for 78 runs and then Root’s majestic 121, his third hundred of the series, sealed a 76-run win for the hosts.
Root will have a selection headache with the return of injured pacers Mark Wood and Chris Woakes. However, regular wicket-keeper Jos Buttler will miss the penultimate Test to be with his wife, who is expecting their second child.
In Buttler’s absence, Jonny Bairstow will don the wicket-keeping gloves and it remains to be seen if Ollie Pope fills up the vacant spot at his home venue.
“It’s fantastic to have both (Woakes and Wood) available and it adds strength to what has been a very confident squad right now. We will see how they pull up and take a call taking account of the conditions,” Root informed.
