Playing Tests against India is bigger than the Ashes: Ian Bell

Team India scripted a memorable victory against England in the pink-ball Test at Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad by 10 wickets and is leading the marquee four-match series by 2-1. The first match of the series was won by England but the hosts made a stunning comeback as they won the next two games, on a trot.

England’s defeat in the last two Test matches against India, invited plenty of criticism for the team as many veteran players slammed the visitors for their poor show. A lot of former English cricketers also criticised the team management and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for their players’ rotation policy.

As a part of the rotation policy, England rested their key players including Jos Buttler and Moeen Ali for the Indian series. Former England cricketer Ian Bell slammed ECB saying that India would have never rotated their main players if they were touring England.

“India are going to come to England in the summer. If they are 2-0 up or 1-0 up, will they rotate? I don’t think they will. These tours, Englishmen going to Australia or India, they are the pinnacle….if you win in those conditions, they are remembered for a long long time. And I know for a fact when India come to England and if they go up 1-0, they would not be rotating their best bowlers, or leaving somebody out, they want to win,” Bell told ESPN Cricinfo.

England have been thinking too far ahead: Ian Bell

Further in the interaction, Ian reckoned that England is risking the Test series against India thinking about the Ashes Series against Australia but they should keep in mind that playing against India is bigger than any Ashes series. The veteran also believes one should not disturb the winning combination by thinking about future tours.

“Form comes in and out as a player. When you are playing well, don’t lose it, don’t change it. Winning combinations are so important to keep against the best teams in the world and I think England have been thinking too far ahead to have a squad for the Ashes.

This is bigger than the Ashes. This is possibly as big as the Ashes. Why are we rotating in one of the biggest series we can play in. For me, I think that’s where we have got it a little bit wrong,” he concluded.