Will India find right balance between attack and defence?

It will be interesting to see the approach that India take in Test cricket as contrasting styles on show at the Ashes have become the talking point

- Sanjjeev K Samyal

In the contrasting styles of play that England and Australia brought to the first Ashes Test, there’s plenty to debate and discuss. Between England’s flamboyant batting approach — christened Bazball — and Australia’s steadier tempo, which is the more effective method?

Even as the two traditional Test giants dominate the narrative, it will be interesting to see the brand of cricket that India display as they gear up for a fresh World Test Championship campaign with a series in the Caribbean from July 12.

While England’s style is highly appealing, every team will have to focus on its strengths and devise the best way to succeed.

“Test cricket is Test cricket — it's how each individual and team adapts. Every country has its own way of playing,” says India batting great Gundappa Viswanath, sharing his views not specific to the Ashes.

Viswanath, who was famous for his stroke-making ability, says the longer format is about playing to the situation. “This is Test cricket, you always go session by session. There is no question of pre-planned thinking. You can’t attack all the time, can you? It all depends on the situation and how it works out, that is what we did in our days,” he says.

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