England fast-bowler Gus Atkinson has said that he will be focused on bowling short and sharp spells in their upcoming Test series against India. England is set to face India in a five-match Test series, starting January 25.
IND vs ENG Test Series: Full Schedule
The two sides will clash at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad in the first match of the series. This will be England’s second Test series in the third cycle of the World Test Championship, having held Australia to a 2-2 draw in the 2023 Ashes.
England have lost their last two Test series in India, being defeated 0-4 in 2016/17 before losing 1-3 in 2020/21. However, they did get the better of India in a four-match Test series in 2012/13, beating the hosts 2-1.
Speaking to ESPNcricinfo ahead of the Test series, Atkinson said he will be focused on bowling short and sharp spells in India. Atkinson, who has made his ODI and T20I debut for England has been named in their Test squad for the first time in his career.
“People talk about your pace and you get picked because you can bowl quick. You have to, and you want to, bowl quick, so that’s definitely something that I’m going to focus on. Short, sharp spells in India is probably the way I imagine it going. Sort of an impact bowler,” said Atkinson.
He went on to say that Test cricket is the pinnacle, while calling his Test call-up exciting. Atkinson is the only player in England’s Test squad to face India who also featured in the World Cup squad as well as both legs of their West Indies tour.
“Test cricket is the one that you look at as a kid and think, yeah, that’s the pinnacle. But, you know, I try to stay as level as possible and just sort of treat a call-up as a call-up, which is obviously an exciting thing,” Atkinson added.
ENGLAND SQUAD FOR INDIA TESTS
Ben Stokes (captain), Rehan Ahmed, James Anderson, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Shoaib Bashir, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ben Foakes, Tom Hartley, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Mark Wood,
