Former England's star batting Ian Bell has confidently backed Ben Stokes-led England ahead of their third Test against India which is scheduled to be played from February 15. England clinched a stunning win over India in the opening Test in Hyderabad. Despite India's strong response with a 106-run triumph in the subsequent match in Vizag, leveling the five-match series 1-1, the victory in Hyderabad has significantly boosted the morale of the England team, feels Bell. Ahead of the third Test, England team enjoyed a six-day break in Abu Dhabi, filled with newfound confidence.
Bell's sharpshooting remark on Team India
Bell praised England for their remarkable turnaround in the opening Test in Hyderabad. During a conversation with Sky Sports, Bell said that Team India is concerned about the visiting team's potential.
England have thrown some real punches to push India back: Bell
“I suppose the Indian media was very confident that it's going to be 5-0 before the series started. No doubt that this India team is worried about this England side, which is great. I think England have thrown some real punches to push India back,” said Bell.
“It's going to come down to again, someone like Ollie Pope did in that first game to get a big hundred, that's really important to really put yourself in the game, but they look threatening,” Bell added.
He further stated that despite India's impressive batting lineup, the pressure currently lies with them. The upcoming match in Rajkot will be Ben Stokes' 100th Test appearance, making him the 16th English player to reach this milestone.
“I think the Indian lineup has got amazing amount of talent, but again, there will be doubt there. Not that they don’t have the talent and ability, but I feel there will a bit more pressure at the moment on India. Let’s hope so. But it's in the balance right now. But I think if someone can do what Ollie Pope did in the first Test, we can put pressure on India,” Bell concluded.
India aim to secure a lead in the five-match Test series against England as they prepare to face off in Rajkot, a venue that has hosted only two Test matches so far.
India’s updated squad for the third Test: Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (wk), KS Bharat (wk), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja*, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, Devdutt Padikkal.
England’s Test squad: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes (wk), Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, Shoaib Bashir, James Anderson, Mark Wood, Ollie Robinson, Daniel Lawrence, Gus Atkinson.
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