England have thrown some punches to push India back: Ian Bell says series ‘is in the balance’ ahead of Rajkot Test

Former England batter Ian Bell has said that the visitors have thrown some punches to push India back in the five-match Test series.

India is set to take on England in the third Test at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot on February 15. The series is currently level at 1-1 with England taking the lead with a 28-run win in Hyderabad before India bounced back to beat the visitors by 106 runs in the second Test in Vizag.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Bell said someone from England will have to score a big hundred like Ollie Pope did in Hyderabad to challenge India, while insisting that England have thrown some punches against the home side in the ongoing Test series. Pope scored 196 runs in the first Test, registering the fourth-highest Test individual score in India by an English batter.

“I suppose the Indian media was very confident that it’s going to be 5-0 before the series started. No doubt that this India team is worried about this England side, which is great. I think England have thrown some real punches to push India back,” said Bell.

“It’s going to come down to again, someone like Ollie Pope did in that first game to get a big hundred, that’s really important to really put yourself in the game, but they look threatening,” Bell added.

He went on to say that the pressure will be on India at the moment despite their wealth of batting talent. The Rajkot match will also mark Ben Stokes’ 100th Test, becoming the 16th Englishman to achieve the feat.

“I think the Indian lineup has got amazing amount of talent, but again, there will be doubt there. Not that they don’t have the talent and ability, but I feel there will a bit more pressure at the moment on India. Let’s hope so. But it’s in the balance right now. But I think if someone can do what Ollie Pope did in the first Test, we can put pressure on India,” said Bell.

India will be looking to take the lead in their five-match Test series against England when they lock horns in Rajkot, where only two Test matches have been played.