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The Telegraph Cricket Podcast · The Telegraph

India level series with Harsha Bhogle

·54 min·5 clips
Mike warns England will never get a better chance to beat India, with key players missing and the series on the line.
This episode of The Telegraph Cricket Podcast analyzes England's 106-run defeat to India in the second Test, which leveled the series at 1-1. Hosts Ben Wright, Mike Atherton, and Phil Tuffnell are joined by renowned Indian broadcaster Harsha Bhogle to dissect the match and series outlook. The panel examines England's aggressive "Bazball" approach and whether it can secure a historic series win in India. The hosts highlight that England, chasing 399, fell just short of the record for a non-Indian side batting fourth in India. Jasprit Bumrah's match-winning six-wicket haul earned him the top spot in the ICC Test bowling rankings, while Yashasvi Jaiswal's first-innings double century proved decisive. The discussion notes India's potential vulnerabilities, with Virat Kohli absent, Ravindra Jadeja injured, and Mohammed Shami unavailable. Mike Atherton argues England must adapt their batting "gears" and not rely solely on aggression to win the series. Phil Tuffnell points out that only Jaiswal and Bumrah delivered standout performances for India in the second Test. A surprising claim is that England's inexperienced spin trio of Tom Hartley, Rehan Ahmed, and Shoaib Bashir have taken more wickets than India's famed spinners in the series. Harsha Bhogle suggests Ben Stokes's constant field changes create an "illusion" that pressures opposition batters. Atherton makes the pointed observation that for all their entertainment value, this England team has not yet won a major series. The panel agrees that India's batting lineup, apart from Jaiswal, appears unsettled and potentially "there for the taking." A memorable moment recounted is Stokes's astonishing catch to dismiss Shreyas Iyer, which the commentators thought he had no chance of reaching. The tone is analytical and conversational, blending a former player's tactical insight with a broadcaster's perspective on the series narrative. The style is debate-oriented, with the hosts challenging each other's views on England's strategy and India's resilience. Listeners who enjoy deep tactical analysis of Test cricket and the ongoing "Bazball" debate will find this episode compelling. Those seeking only match highlights or who dislike critical examination of team strategies might prefer to skip it.

As heard by us

Harsha Bhogle keeps the cricket chat calm, tactical, and firmly on the details.

Harsha Bhogle keeps the cricket talk steady and practical, and that is what makes it work. He circles the same pressure points without drifting off course, moving from a chase of 300 to 199, then back to the sense that the game no longer feels fully conventional.

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Why you'd press play

You want a calm, edge-of-seat read on a cricket contest that keeps changing shape.

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