28 October,2023 08:14 AM IST | Lucknow | R Kaushik
Adil Rashid (left), captain Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow wear a dejected look after England’s loss to Sri Lanka at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on Thursday. Pic/Getty Images
England arrived in Lucknow on Friday afternoon, their campaign in tatters, their hopes no more than mathematical, their spirits shattered after another mauling at the World Cup. One of the strong favourites to defend the title won under Eoin Morgan in 2019, Jos Buttler's men are all but out of contention, a fair reflection of the limp cricket they have played all tournament long in direct contrast to their commitment to aggression and positivity.
Perhaps they didn't account enough for the conditions that confronted them at different centres in India, perhaps it didn't help that several key players went off the boil at the same time. Whatever the reason, after four losses in five games and with a run rate of -1.634, it will need a series of miracles for the holders to make it to the knockouts.
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Buttler used the word âdisappointing' numerous times in his post-match media interaction in Bangalore after their latest humbling, an eight-wicket hammering at the hands of a rejuvenated Sri Lanka. The captain himself has been one of the letdowns, something he voluntarily acknowledged. It will be back to the drawing board once England return home from the World Cup, and whether that will entail a change in leadership remains to be seen.
Virat Kohli trains at the Ekana Stadium on Thursday. Pic/PTI
England haven't been popular visitors, their sullenness evident from their media interactions. At the mixed media zone, Matthew Mott, their coach, had a lengthy interaction with the English journalists but when he walked over to where the rest of the international media was assembled, their media manager thundered, "Two minutes, two questions." That did little to erase England's reputation as sore losers; it was no surprise that most of the media corps left without waiting for the âtwo minutes, two questions' session.
Up next for demoralised England is a crack at table-toppers India, unbeaten after five consecutive successful run-chases. With nothing to lose, England might come out all guns firing, which will be a good challenge for an Indian side that hasn't been seriously pushed thus far.
Well-rested following their four-wicket defeat of New Zealand in Dharamsala last Sunday, India hit the nets with a second straight optional session on Friday afternoon, again minus Hardik Pandya, whose ankle injury is a little more serious than originally thought.
Pandya will continue to remain at the NCA for rehabilitation work and might miss the next game too against Sri Lanka in Mumbai on Thursday. His absence forced the team management to plump for Mohammed Shami and the seasoned quick responded with a five-wicket haul in the mountains, posing another selection dilemma for Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid.
Lucknow's reputation for assisting spin might bring R Ashwin back into the equation for the first time since the tournament opener against Australia, a wonderful option to summon and another pointer to the depth of resources within the Indian set-up.
