Former England captain Alastair Cook has delivered a surprisingly blunt assessment of the Indian team that toured England in 2021, stating they were "not a great side" and that the drawn series represented a significant missed opportunity for the hosts. Cook's comments come as he reflected on the gripping five-match series that ended 2-2, with India leading after the fourth Test before the final match was cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns.
A Series of What-Ifs for England
Speaking on the BBC's 'Tailenders' podcast, Cook, England's all-time leading run-scorer in Tests, expressed his belief that England, under Joe Root's captaincy, should have clinched the series. He pointed to the specific conditions and the composition of the visiting Indian squad as factors that played into England's hands. "That Indian side wasn't a great side," Cook stated, highlighting that the team was heavily reliant on its seam bowling attack.
Cook elaborated that Virat Kohli's men were formidable in English-like conditions but suggested their batting lineup had vulnerabilities. "They were a very good seam bowling attack, but actually, if you look at their side, they had a lot of players who were great in our conditions," he explained. The ex-skipper argued that England's failure to secure a series win at home, especially after being 1-0 up, was a major letdown. "For an England side, with home conditions, that was a missed opportunity," he concluded.
The Turning Point at Lord's
The 2021 series, played for the Pataudi Trophy, was a rollercoaster. India started strongly with a memorable 151-run victory at Lord's, a win built on the back of a brilliant 89* from Ajinkya Rahane and a fiery spell from Jasprit Bumrah. However, England bounced back emphatically at Headingley, skittling India for 78 in their first innings and securing a massive innings victory to level the series.
The momentum swung again at The Oval, where India's openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul laid a solid foundation, and Shardul Thakur's all-round heroics helped secure a 157-run win, putting India 2-1 ahead. The series was poised for a thrilling finale at Old Trafford, but the final Test was called off just hours before the start due to a COVID-19 outbreak in the Indian camp, leaving the series drawn.
Cook's Analysis and the Bigger Picture
Cook's analysis goes beyond just labeling the Indian team. He contextualized the draw within a broader period of struggle for the English Test side. The 2-2 result was part of a string of series without a win, which included high-profile defeats in Australia and the West Indies. This period ultimately led to significant changes, including the departure of coach Chris Silverwood and, later, Joe Root stepping down as captain.
Cook's remarks are likely to spark debate among cricket fans and pundits. While India's batting did show inconsistencies on that tour, their pace attack of Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Ishant Sharma was widely praised. Furthermore, winning a Test at Lord's and The Oval is no small feat for any touring side in England. Cook's perspective underscores the high standards he holds for a home England team and his view that, on balance, they had the upper hand.
The cancelled Manchester Test remains a controversial footnote. Had England won that match to square the series 2-2, the narrative might have been different. Cook's comments suggest that, in his view, England had the capability and the conditions to win the series outright against an Indian side he perceived as beatable, making the drawn outcome a point of regret for the English camp.
