Forget how we got there, the series heads to Ahmedabad perfectly poised

NICK HOWSON: The first two Tests of the series were far from competitive, but the outcomes leave us with a fascinating finale in store

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The saying goes that life is about the journey rather than the destination, but when India and England arrive in Ahmedabad ahead of the back-to-back Tests which round-off this series they are both likely to be looking forwards, rather than back.

Neither of the Tests in Chennai can be held in particularly high regard. The hosts were turned over by 227 runs in the opener and then victorious by 317 in four days to square the series at 1-1.

Both contests were devoid of undulations or dramatic twists. There were very few even days of play. Gripping, perhaps, but it was rarely full of punch and counterpunch. Instead, we've seen the best and worst of India and England.

But there is no need to focus too greatly on how we've reached this point. England have already exceeded expectations, particularly given what we saw from an understrength India in Australia, not to mention their formidable home record.

Thanks to the sharing of the first two Tests we have what any neutral could have reasonably desired ahead of the most intriguing contest of the winter.

The pink-ball Test in Ahmedabad was always likely to be the most fascinating of the exchanges between these two sides, and now it is guaranteed to have genuine importance. It is just the second to be played in India (27 wickets fell to seam the last time against Bangladesh in November 2019) and the first involving England since 2018. It should be a real leveller.

Amid plenty of discussion about home advantage and tailored conditions, credit to the BCCI for including a match in the schedule which certainly favours the tourists.

I'm not convinced day-night Tests are utilised like they should be. Only 15 have been completed in six years. What probably hasn't helped is the six victories by an innings and just the three batting fourth.

The dynamic brings a new tactical dimension to the format, testing captains in a different way. Cricket should be trying everything to attract a new audience using its existing assets, but it feels as though the pink ball is being kept under lock and key.

A pink-ball Test will be played in India for just the second time

Test cricket is already the greatest format and is approaching its 150th year, but we cannot be so arrogant but to ignore opportunities to develop it. I'm surprised it hasn't been fully maximised.

Full series under lights are unnecessary but perhaps one per tour during the next edition of the World Test Championship, where possible, might be a nice balance.

That both sides arrive in Gujarat with so much still to be determined just adds further to the intrigue.

The last place in the WTC final alongside New Zealand remains up for grabs. England have to win the last two, India probably the same (a 2-1 success will be enough).

India are protecting a bilateral series-winning record of 10 in a row stretching back to 2012 when England last prevailed in these parts.

There is plenty of interest around selection too. Virat Kohli and Joe Root can call on the cavalry for the second half of the series. Mohammed Shami and Navdeep Saini are braced to re-join the hosts' group. Jonny Bairstow and Mark Wood have been added to the visitors' squad. Jofra Archer and Zak Crawley are also available again, while James Anderson and Dom Bess are rested and ready.

^{India levelled the series after victory by 317 runs in the second Test}

The 110,000-capacity Sardar Patel Stadium might not break any attendance records during the Tests, but a 50 per cent crowd will add much-needed texture to the occasion. An otherwise uncompetitive second Test was elevated by the atmosphere generated in the stands. Their absence has been normalised, no doubt about that.

And then there is the pitch, which will be under extra scrutiny both due to what has unfolded in Chennai when India took control of the surface, the introduction of the pink ball and that the groundsman is national head curator Ashish Bhowmick.

Nevertheless, all you can ask for is conditions which reward the side which plays them best. Regretfully, there has been a chasm across both Tests. Against the backdrop of some wonderful individual performances has been the lack of a closely contested game. There are two Tests left to put that right.

That is the only thing left wanting as we enter the final throes of this series. Everything and more remains on the line. We can hardly have asked for more.

Images courtesy of BCCI

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