When Cook and Co. did the unthinkable – England in India 2012-13

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In this episode, we look back to England’s tour to India in 2012-13.

England had not won a series in India since 1984-85 and they began the tour as underdogs – especially after a heavy defeat in the first Test in Ahmedabad. The turnaround began in Mumbai – thanks to some splendid spin bowling followed by hundreds from Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen – and England went on to defy expectations in the final two Tests.

Talking Points:

• • Expectations and context before the series
  • England’s tours to UAE and Sri Lanka
  • Kevin Pietersen’s “reintegration” into the side
  • Monty Panesar not playing in the first Test in Ahmedabad
  • Sehwag’s hundred, Pujara’s double-hundred
  • The Cook-Prior rearguard in the second innings
  • Panesar’s ball to Tendulkar on day one in Mumbai
  • India’s slow collapse
  • Pujara’s masterful innings against spin
  • Pietersen brutal hitting and the shock in the stands
  • Tendulkar’s innings on day one in Kolkata
  • James Anderson’s spell of reverse-swing
  • The Cook marathon – with support from Trott
  • The Barmy Army going to town
  • Jonathan Trott’s lesson in patience
  • The slow nature of the Nagpur pitch
  • The consequences of the defeat for India – and the end of many journeys

Participants:

Karthik Krishnaswamy (@the_kk)

Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee)

Ashoka (@ABVan)

Mahesh Sethuraman (@cornerd)

Related:

The Wisden Almanack report for the series – ESPNcricinfo

The balls of the century – Monty Panesar to Sachin Tendulkar – Karthik Krishnaswamy – ESPNcricinfo

First step to redemption, India go 1-0 up – Karthik Krishnaswamy – Indian Express

Cheteshwar Pujara: the worker ant – Siddhartha Vaidyanathan

Dhoni’s pitch flawed – Karthik Krishnaswamy – ESPNcricinfo

Patient Tendulkar middles it this time – Karthik Krishnaswamy – Indian Express

Quick wickets but no miracle this time – Karthik Krishnaswamy – Indian Express

Post lunch, humble pie – Karthik Krishnaswamy – Indian Express

Pads on, DRS isn’t watching – Karthik Krishnaswamy – Indian Express

Zaheer Khan. Left arm… over? – Karthik Krishnaswamy – Indian Express

Be bold, be practical, do the right thing – Siddhartha Vaidyanathan

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Lead image from here

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