'Maybe on another tour, it could have been 3-2 to us' - Ollie Robinson analyses England's performance on India tour
England were comprehensively defeated by a thumping margin of 4-1 by India on their recent tour to India.
Despite England registering a shock victory in their first Test of the India tour in Hyderabad, that too after conceding a 190-run first innings lead, a multitude of experts and pundits anticipated a series defeat by the hosts, which would have been India's first one at home ever since the famous English side in 2012-13 returned home with a 2-1 series triumph in the bag.
On the other hand, what happened was completely unprecedented, with India making a robust comeback in the remainder of the series, eventually taking the cake by coming out on top with an emphatic 4-1 rout.
Ollie Robinson, who played only the sole Test in Ranchi, in which he returned wicketless in the 13 overs bowled by him and scored 54 with the bat in his side's first innings (which was the second-highest score in that particular innings), felt that the 4-1 scoreline didn't do justice to their performances in India. The fast-bowler also stated that the catch he dropped of wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel when he was on 59 didn't do the team any good (Jurel eventually ended up with 90). He also reckoned that the cricket played by his team was admirabale to say the least, and maybe on another tour, they would have clinched the series by a 3-2 margin.
“We were really close to reversing that result. Obviously, a catch I dropped in the fourth Test would have helped us but, no, we feel like 4-1 was undeserved really. We played some really good cricket and maybe on another tour, it could have been 3-2 to us, who knows?” Robinson told Sky Sports.
I think we’re really close to being the best in the world, to be honest: Robinson
Despite the disappointing results, Robinson maintained faith in England's attacking cricketing style (Bazball) under head coach Brendon McCullum, envisioning it as a stimulant for the team's ascent to the top of international cricket. Barring a few minor errors made from time-to-time, he felt optimistic about England ruling world cricket in the times to come.
“The brand of cricket that we’re playing is really good to watch for fans and good to play in. I think we’re really close to being the best in the world, to be honest. A few one percenters here-and-there and we can really dominate the world of cricket,” the 30-year-old added.
With 10 games played in the ICC World Test Championship Cycle spanning from 2023 to 2025, England find themselves at rock-bottom, with them occupying the ninth position. Their next Test assignment is the West Indies, who will be touring England to partake in a three-match Test series in July, which is slated to get underway in just more than a week's time post the completion of the T20 World Cup, hosted jointly by the West Indies and USA.
Also Read: Ollie Pope believes 'Bazball' polish is about 'tightening a few loose screws'
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