India vs England 2021: ‘It’s a great challenge for us,’ says Chris Silverwood ahead of the Test series

India vs England 2021: ‘It’s a great challenge for us,’ says Chris Silverwood ahead of the Test series
Chris Silverwood

England head coach Chris Silverwood talked about the challenges and toughness that lies ahead when India and England will lock horns with each other.

Both the teams have scheduled the intense training sessions that they will undertake after the mandatory quarantine.

The four-match Test series will begin in Chennai from February 5.

“The one thing Australia has shown is India will be a difficult team to beat. It’s a great challenge for us. Do I think we can beat them? Yes. I always take the positive side of things. I think we can beat them, but we know it’s going to be a hard-fought contest. If we come out on top of this one, confidence again will go through the roof for us. I respect the fact they are a fine side with some really good players. We’re going to have to be at the top of our game,” said Silverwood during a virtual press conference.

“We are going there with our eyes open. We know it is going to be a tough challenge. We know they are an excellent team, especially in their own conditions, and we respect that. But I think it is an exciting challenge. We are in a good place. We are constantly growing. But we completely respect how big a challenge it is,” he added.

Silverwood also deliberated on their policy of resting the players. He said, “We have got to look after our people. We are spending a lot of time locked in hotels and bio-secure bubbles and it is not easy. It is good we are being proactive. I am perfectly happy with the system at the moment. We have decided that we need to look after our players and I do believe we have been proactive. I would ask them to understand why we do what we do. It is in the best interest of each player and to get the most out of them, long-term.”

Jonny Bairstow is England’s key batsman

Jonny Bairstow
Jonny Bairstow after the dismissal in a match.

Talking of Jonny Bairstow’s participation in the third Test against India, Silverwood said, “Bairstow will come back into the group then the rest is down to selection. We don’t make any guarantees to anybody. I don’t think you can, you don’t know where you’ll be at any given time. I do think it’s right he has a rest. Jonny is very busy, a multi-format player and we’ve got to look after him, give him a bit of time at home to chill out. He did well – Jonny asked me the same question and I said he’d done very well. He went in during some difficult periods of the game and applied himself well on what we’re testing wickets. I was pleased with him.”

The series between the two countries comprises of four Tests, three ODIs, and five T20Is.

Also read: “Virat Kohli was and will always be the captain of the Test team,” says Ajinkya Rahane