NEW DELHI: The legendary Sachin Tendulkar says the current England team is in complete awe of India’s world-class seam attack with only its skipper Joe Root looking capable of getting a big hundred.
In an exclusive interview with PTI, the iconic batsman spoke on a host of issues including India’s victory, the standard of England Test team, skipper Virat Kohli’s technical adjustments, Rohit Sharma’s dominance against the new ball and Jasprit Bumrah’s return to wickets with 12 scalps in the last two games.
When I saw Joe Root putting India in after winning the toss, I was really surprised and I felt that in itself was an indication that
England was worried about our fast bowling attack. I actually shared a message with a friend on Friday morning around 8 am that if weather allows us, we are winning this Test match.
The surface looked dry to me later on, because you could see that the first ball from Mohammed Siraj’s new spell took off from good length and hit Ollie Robinson on the chest. That was a clear indication that the surface had over-dried and hence the ball took off from there. Bowling first wasn’t an ideal decision by the England captain and credit to our openers, they were brilliant.
What do you make of this England batting line-up?
This England team has had a history of collapses. I felt that is where they lost the grip and if you look at their batting, how many batters can one say, this guy can come out and get a big hundred? In this team, I don’t see anyone other than Joe Root. Teams of the past had number of such players, whether Alastair Cook, Michael Vaughan, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Jonathan Trott, Andrew Strauss.
Yes they might get an odd hundred but how many can get big hundreds consistently? Other than Root, I can’t find anyone and that’s the state of their batting today. Maybe the reason for Root to opt for fielding first.
How did you find Rohit’s batting in first innings and how much of a concern is his propensity to play the hook and pull which is leading to his dismissal?
Whatever I have seen, I feel he has taken the lead and he has shown the other side of his temperament and how he can change his game and adapt to situations and play accordingly.
He has been a leader there and KL has supported him brilliantly. As far as playing pull shot is concerned, he has cleared the fence with that shot and I am looking at what he has been able to achieve for the team in both Tests.
Rohit has left the ball and defended the ball brilliantly or equally well. He was always a fantastic player but seeing his last few innings in England, I can say he has definitely gone a notch higher.
How would you assess the Cheteshwar Pujara-Ajinkya Rahane stand of 100 in nearly 50 overs? Do you think their scoring rate was affected since they are under a bit of pressure?
They played a very crucial role considering that we were effectively 28 for 3 when they came together. Two more quick wickets and we would have been 60 for 5 and dynamics would have been completely different. They stabilised the innings.
–PTI

Press Trust of India