1st Test (Leeds) - 20th June

[centurymaker]

You're going to have to imagine it because it won't happen. When Jerusalem plays at the start of the day, you'll soon see the numbers. I was at Trent Bridge in 2021, Kohli was playing, England were rubbish, it was still 90% English.

Maybe in Leeds as it's possibly too far north (not a lot of Indians there relatively speaking), but not in Birmingham. Even last time around, Birmingham had a large Indian turnout.

 

[Silly Point 2.0]

Your nearest ground's Test match is still a big thing for the cricket community in England. I struggle to invisage it being like one of those T20s or ODIs where it's 90% Indian, sorry.

 

[centurymaker]

Who is saying it will be 90%?

I was saying half the crowd is likely to be Indian at majority of venues.

 

[Molehill]

Who is saying it will be 90%?

I was saying half the crowd is likely to be Indian at majority of venues.

But it won't be half the crowd, it never is. You seem to be severely under-estimating the numbers that English fans turn up in and the passion they have for Test Cricket.

 

[Arachnödouche2.0]

Noisyass drums. For a country obsessed with Bollywood and all the other -woods, you'd expect fans to string together a few songs at the games. How about we get something from Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar for a change? But no, drums, vuvuzelas if allowed, and going randomly crazy everytime a camera focuses on them is our game.

 

[Thala_0710]

Pant has confirmed in the press conference that Gill's going to bat at 4 and he himself will bat at 5

 

[capt_Luffy]

Pant has confirmed in the press conference that Gill's going to bat at 4 and he himself will bat at 5

What's the point of confirming these things I never get. You just are giving the opposition a more precise way to plan.

 

[Thala_0710]

What's the point of confirming these things I never get. You just are giving the opposition a more precise way to plan.

I don't know either. Also this basically means either Sai at 3, Nair at 6 or Nair at 3 and then Jurel at 6 (Maybe even Reddy 6 with Shardul 8)

 

[capt_Luffy]

I don't know either. Also this basically means either Sai at 3, Nair at 6 or Nair at 3 and then Jurel at 6 (Maybe even Reddy 6 with Shardul 8)

Think most likely Sai at 3 and Nair 6 will be there. Don't really feel for Reddy at 6, think if he plays it's if they go with 3 pacers + Kuldeep with him at 7.

 

[Chin Music]

I'm a little surprised that England haven't named their XI yet. Over the last couple of years they have regularly named their team with a couple of days to go. I guess with an inexperienced attack they really might not be so sure who is going to team up with Woakes and Carse in the pace attack.

 

[chris.hinton]

India dont have the tools in England to trouble us. We have the desire to thrash India 5-0 and send them home crying and making lame excuses

can’t wait for it. Just relax and remember England are better than India when it’s a fair advantage

 

[Gremlin]

I'm a little surprised that England haven't named their XI yet. Over the last couple of years they have regularly named their team with a couple of days to go. I guess with an inexperienced attack they really might not be so sure who is going to team up with Woakes and Carse in the pace attack.

You ask, they provide....

England team to face India in first Test: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir.

England vs India: Ollie Pope preferred to Jacob Bethell as Chris Woakes returns for first Test - BBC Sport

 

[Window]

Noisyass drums. For a country obsessed with Bollywood and all the other -woods, you'd expect fans to string together a few songs at the games. How about we get something from Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar for a change? But no, drums, vuvuzelas if allowed, and going randomly crazy everytime a camera focuses on them is our game.

I feel like the Indian team theme songs have gotten worse over time. All you hear nowadays is the lame ass Lehra Do song from ‘83. Before that it was Chak De or Jai Ho. Boring.

Also weird discussion on crowds, it’s not like India’s playing in England for the first time. Why is there even a debate or uncertainty on the typical split of English vs Indian supporters. Why would it be significantly different than all of the other tours.

 

[capt_Luffy]

India dont have the tools in England to trouble us. We have the desire to thrash India 5-0 and send them home crying and making lame excuses

can’t wait for it. Just relax and remember England are better than India when it’s a fair advantage

Meet us in the WTC Final this time and we will show you thrashing in a 'neutral' venue. Oh wait, it's neutral as England not making the Final is guaranteed.

 

[Molehill]

Also weird discussion on crowds, it’s not like India’s playing in England for the first time. Why is there even a debate or uncertainty on the typical split of English vs Indian supporters. Why would it be significantly different than all of the other tours.

Totally agree, but some people seem to think that it will be.

 

[RightArmMystery]

I really don't like that bowling attack. Woakes is obviously Woakes but is coming off an injury, and then the other 3 are very average. Tongue didn't bowl particularly well against Zimbabwe, didn't look particularly threatening and went at over 5's 2nd innings, Carse is gonna pick up a couple of wickets but also going to bowl spells where he goes round the park especially against this batting unit, **** knows what Bashir's gonna do - could get wickets, could get absolutely carted, and then who knows how many overs Stokes is gonna be able to bowl. Could be a long series if this is the level of bowling attack we're serving up. Happy to be proven wrong.

 

[honestbharani]

I really don't like that bowling attack. Woakes is obviously Woakes but is coming off an injury, and then the other 3 are very average. Tongue didn't bowl particularly well against Zimbabwe, didn't look particularly threatening and went at over 5's 2nd innings, Carse is gonna pick up a couple of wickets but also going to bowl spells where he goes round the park especially against this batting unit, **** knows what Bashir's gonna do - could get wickets, could get absolutely carted, and then who knows how many overs Stokes is gonna be able to bowl. Could be a long series if this is the level of bowling attack we're serving up. Happy to be proven wrong.

Have you seen our batting order? You guys will be fine.

 

[kevinw]

I think Woakes, Carse, Cook and Leach would fill me with more confidence but it is as expected. First three days are going to be hot, even for Leeds, so could be some hard yards for the bowlers.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Away on holiday, presume Gus Atkinson is injured?

No idea why people are moaning about the side, it is predictable with Woakes fit. Carse is the trump card with the extra pace/bounce.

 

[honestbharani]

I always figured Carse was like a Gillespie. An excellent 3rd seamer hitting hard lengths and keeping things tight and batsmen honest. Is he really good with the new ball? The kind of guy who gets the important 3fers and 2fers consistently than the fancy 5/6 fers every once in a while.