In the wake of their considerable loss to India, head coach Brendon McCullum expressed that the English team feels the sting but holds no shame.
England’s defeat by 434 runs in the third Test in Rajkot stands as their most notable margin of loss since 1934, putting them at a 2-1 disadvantage in the series.
3rd test Between India vs England will be historic.
– Rohit Sharma need 29 runs to complete 2k runs against England.
– Rohit Sharma need 172 runs to complete 4k test runs.
– Ravichandran Ashwin needs 1 wicket to complete 500 wickets.
– Ravichandran Ashwin need 3 wickets to… pic.twitter.com/hjYruqThHY— Satya Prakash (@Satya_Prakash08) February 14, 2024
McCullum emphasized the need to move forward, stating:
“We’ll turn the page and go quids in again trying to put India under pressure,with hopes of an exciting decider in the upcoming match in Ranchi, starting Friday”
The initial victory for England in Hyderabad was overshadowed by following losses in Visakhapatnam and Rajkot.
Despite promising opportunities in the second and third Tests, England failed to capitalize, especially noticeable during the third morning in Rajkot when they stood at 224-2 in response to India’s 445, only to collapse later.
Criticism has occurred regarding England’s adaptability to the irregular situations and conditions of Test cricket, causing McCullum to acknowledge the reality of such concerns but confirming the team’s focus on internal strength and confidence.
Under Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes, England had seen considerable success, with a dynamic style of play leading to 14 wins from 20 Tests before the Rajkot setback.
However, this defeat has sparked debates about the team’s ability to adjust to the demands of the game. McCullum remains resolute, stating:
“The dressing room is a powerful place where confidence is high and guys are backed to go out there and allow their talent to flourish. If we allow the outside noise to seep in, that’s our problem.”
Taking charge after a period of struggle, McCullum and Stokes have guided England to improved performance, with this defeat marking only their sixth loss in 21 matches since June 2022.
Despite external critique, McCullum maintains confidence in the team’s ability to bounce back and perform at their best.
