Saba Karim believes the fifth rescheduled Test between visitors in India and hosts England will be a battle between two contrasting mindsets.
The final game of the five-match Test series, which was postponed last year due to COVID-19 concerns, will be played at Edgbaston from July 1. Both sides have new captains and coaches at the helm, which will add another dimension to the contest.
Saba Karim: 5th Test Between England And India Will Be A Battle Between Two Mindsets
While previewing the game, Saba Karim opined that the match could define the future course of Test cricket.
He observed: “I feel this match will decide how you should play Test cricket going forward. It is not only going to be a Test match between India and England but it is going to be a battle between two mindsets.”
The former Indian wicketkeeper pointed out that England under new coach Brendon McCullum has shown that they will play an ultra-aggressive brand of cricket.
Saba Karim explained: “If you see the England team on one side, they have made it clear that they are not going to take a step back. Brendon McCullum has said it loudly that if there is danger in front of you, then you should take it head-on, you don’t have to run away from it.”
The England team under new skipper Ben Stokes chased down fourth-innings targets of more than 275 runs in the first two Tests of the ongoing series against New Zealand. They brought a buccaneering approach to the fore in the second Test, chasing down a 299-run target in just 50 overs.
Saba Karim: India Will Go To The Ground With A Balanced Approach
Saba Karim highlighted that Rohit Sharma’s side will have a slightly different approach.
He elaborated: “On the other hand, the Indian team, if we see the combination of Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid, it seems they will go to the ground with a balanced approach, they will be watchful and do a controlled attack.”
The cricketer-turned-analyst reiterated the significant impact the game could have on Test cricket going forward.
Saba Karim said: “As I said before, this will decide whether you should always play attractive cricket so that the spectators who come to watch the match are entertained, the way England have done and shown, or the Indian team who entertain but their approach to providing entertainment is different.”
Rohit Sharma has captained Team India in just two Tests thus far. The Indian team emerged victorious in both those matches against Sri Lanka at home and the upcoming game against England will be the first big test for the Mumbaikar as skipper in the longest format of the game.
Both India and England will have new captains in the last Test match of the series as Virat Kohli and Joe Root have been replaced by Rohit Sharma and Ben Stokes. India has a 2-1 lead in the Test series. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has stated that the Indian Test team will be training in Leicestershire for one week. India will be playing a 4-day practice match against Leicestershire from June 24 to 27 ahead of the first Test.