Mark Wood Reveals Strategy for England's Battle Against India in Five-Match Test Series

In the next five-match Test series against India, Mark Wood of England said on Tuesday that controlling Rohit Sharma with strategic short-pitched ball use would be crucial to his and the team's hopes of defeating an overwhelming home squad.

Before the first Test begins here on Thursday, the pacer said that the characteristics of pitches, even if slow, might benefit the plan.

Indeed, once I'm outside, the situation will be evaluated, and bumps—also known as bouncers—aren't often brought out here. At a press conference, Wood said, "But the pitch can occasionally be two-paced, and if it is slow, it can help (bowlers) because the batters will be through with the shot."

"I know how good Rohit is with the short ball; someone like him." That is not to say that I would never bowl a bouncer. It just implies that I'll need to bowl when it's appropriate and be quite precise with it.

England has been playing an aggressive style of cricket under captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum, but Wood said the squad is also open to changing with the weather. For him, it's all about seizing the chance to re-impose pressure on the domestic team.

The 34-year-old Durham player said that managing pressure would also be crucial in determining if England can triumph in India, like they did in late 2022 when they defeated Pakistan.

"I suppose the key is to absorb that pressure, maybe during a period of dominance by the Indian batters. When the moment is right, we must attack once again after absorbing the pressure and putting on a little theater or drama on the field. That applies to both the bat and the ball, according to Wood, who has only taken five wickets in one Test match against India so far.

England became the first visiting side to completely destroy Pakistan in a series in 2022, winning 3-0. Under Alastair Cook, England's last victory in a Test series in India was in 2012–13.

"We are aware of the difficulties here. India hardly ever loses at home. I believe we can come in and attempt something new, almost like a free hit," Wood said. Recently, we were the first team in Pakistani history to win every game. Thus, this presents yet another opportunity to make history and attempt to defeat India under their own circumstances.

He dismissed worries that England wasn't ready for this series as well, claiming that their camp in Abu Dhabi had given them the opportunity to check a lot of the appropriate boxes.

"To practice simple and reverse swing, we've had flat pitches, scuffed pitches up to make them spin, and sanded pitches down to make them spin."

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